Evaluating sex differences in procedural learning and memory deficits caused by 3-nitropropionic acid

Abstract

The current study attempted to evaluate sex differences in procedural learning and memory deficits in mice using intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP). 3NP is a mitochondrial toxin that creates striatal lesions and mimics the cognitive and motor deficits seen in aged mice. This experiment compared two dosing regimens of 420 mg/kg 3NP and a saline control. Learning and memory was tested using the water-motivated Stone T-Maze (STM) and motor coordination was tested using the rotarod. Mice given 420 mg/kg committed significantly more errors than saline control mice in STM acquisition. Females committed significantly more errors than males in STM acquisition, but performed better on the rotarod. Future research should continue to develop an accelerated aging model using 3NP in order to study potential pharmaceutical and dietary interventions.