Differential effects of lead and zinc on inhibitory avoidance learning in mice

• Main Authors: F.S. de Oliveira, M.R. Viana, A.R. Antoniolli, M. Marchioro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 2001-01-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
• Subjects: lead; zinc; inhibitory avoidance; memory
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2001000100014

We studied the effects of chronic intoxication with the heavy metals lead (Pb2+) and zinc (Zn2+) on memory formation in mice. Animals were intoxicated through drinking water during the pre- and postnatal periods and then tested in the step-through inhibitory avoidance memory task. Chronic postnatal intoxication with Pb2+ did not change the step-through latency values recorded during the 4 weeks of the test (ANOVA, P>0.05). In contrast, mice intoxicated during the prenatal period showed significantly reduced latency values when compared to the control group (day 1: q = 4.62, P<0.05; day 7: q = 4.42, P<0.05; day 14: q = 5.65, P<0.05; day 21: q = 3.96, P<0.05, and day 28: q = 6.09, P<0.05). Although chronic postnatal intoxication with Zn2+ did not alter a memory retention test performed 24 h after training, we noticed a gradual decrease in latency at subsequent 4-week intervals (F = 3.07, P<0.05), an effect that was not observed in the control or in the Pb2+-treated groups. These results suggest an impairment of memory formation by Pb2+ when the animals are exposed during the critical period of neurogenesis, while Zn2+ appears to facilitate learning extinction.