RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Topiramate diminishes fear memory consolidation and extinguishes conditioned fear in rats
JF Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
JO J Psychiatry Neurosci
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 250
OP 255
DO 10.1503/jpn.100115
VO 36
IS 4
A1 Pedro Antônio Schmidt do Prado-Lima
A1 Myriam Fortes Perrenoud
A1 Christian Haag Kristensen
A1 Martin Cammarota
A1 Ivan Izquierdo
YR 2011
UL http://jpn.ca/content/36/4/250.abstract
AB Background: Topiramate has been recognized as a drug that can induce memory and cognitive impairment. Using the one-trial inhibitory avoidance task, we sought to verify the effect of topiramate on consolidation and extinction of aversive memory. Our hypothesis was that topiramate inhibits the consolidation and enhances the extinction of this fear memory.Methods: In experiment 1, which occured immediately or 3 hours after training, topiramate was administered to rats, and consolidation of memory was verified 18 days after the conditioning session. In experiment 2, which occured 18–22 days after the training session, rats were submitted to the extinction protocol. Rats received topiramate 14 days before or during the extinction protocol.Results: Topiramate blocked fear memory retention (p < 0.01) and enhanced fear memory extinction (p < 0.001) only when administered during the extinction protocol.Limitations: This experimental design did not allow us to determine whether topiramate also blocked the reconsolidation of fear memory.Conclusion: Topiramate diminishes fear memory consolidation and promotes extinction of inhibitory avoidance memory.