Inhibition of MMP-3 and MMP-9 Disrupts Spatial Memory
Author Information
Author(s): John W. Wright, Travis E. Brown, Joseph W. Harding
Primary Institution: Washington State University
Hypothesis
Can bilateral infusions of an MMP inhibitor into the dorsal hippocampus block the acquisition of a spatial learning task?
Conclusion
Inhibiting MMP activity in the dorsal hippocampus interferes with spatial memory acquisition.
Supporting Evidence
- Infusion of the MMP inhibitor disrupted acquisition of the Morris water maze task.
- Rats treated with MMP inhibitors swam longer distances to find the platform compared to control groups.
- Significant differences in time spent in the target quadrant were observed between MMPi and control groups.
Takeaway
When scientists blocked certain proteins in the brain, the rats had a harder time remembering where to find a hidden platform in a water maze.
Methodology
Rats were infused with an MMP inhibitor and tested in the Morris water maze to assess spatial memory acquisition.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the experimenter being blind to treatment conditions.
Limitations
The study did not test the penetrability of the MMP inhibitor into the hippocampus.
Participant Demographics
Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 300–350 g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website