Archived Abstracts
Nicotinic Effects on Memory Consolidation Post Contextual Fear Conditioning of Adult Danio Rerio
Location
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
15
Start Date
4-8-2020 12:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2020 1:15 PM
Department
Biology
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated that many stimulants, including nicotine, enhance memory when administered to mammals immediately following learning. Fewer studies, however, have examined the effects of nicotine on memory formation in simple vertebrates, including fish. Moreover, nothing is known about nicotine’s effects on memory following contextual fear conditioning in non-mammalian vertebrates. The goal of this experiment was to determine the effects of nicotine on the consolidation of fear-related memory in zebrafish. It was hypothesized that nicotine, given immediately after conditioning (learning), would enhance memory consolidation. Zebrafish were randomly categorized into two groups: placebo and nicotine (100mg/L). Following this, individual fish were placed in a conditioning tank, where a Rigolpower supply administered three shocks (20 mA) in a distinct conditioning environment painted canary yellow. Immediately after three conditioning trials, individual fish were exposed to placebo or nicotine for 15 minutes. Conditioned fear responses were measured 24 and 48 hours in either the conditioned context or the novel context (painted white with blue textured floor). Fear was operationally-defined as the absence of movement for at least two consecutive seconds, except gill or ocular motions. Results indicated that conditioned fear responses of nicotine and placebo-exposed fish to the novel or conditioning context were not significantly different.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Keith Corodimas
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Nicotinic Effects on Memory Consolidation Post Contextual Fear Conditioning of Adult Danio Rerio
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Previous research has demonstrated that many stimulants, including nicotine, enhance memory when administered to mammals immediately following learning. Fewer studies, however, have examined the effects of nicotine on memory formation in simple vertebrates, including fish. Moreover, nothing is known about nicotine’s effects on memory following contextual fear conditioning in non-mammalian vertebrates. The goal of this experiment was to determine the effects of nicotine on the consolidation of fear-related memory in zebrafish. It was hypothesized that nicotine, given immediately after conditioning (learning), would enhance memory consolidation. Zebrafish were randomly categorized into two groups: placebo and nicotine (100mg/L). Following this, individual fish were placed in a conditioning tank, where a Rigolpower supply administered three shocks (20 mA) in a distinct conditioning environment painted canary yellow. Immediately after three conditioning trials, individual fish were exposed to placebo or nicotine for 15 minutes. Conditioned fear responses were measured 24 and 48 hours in either the conditioned context or the novel context (painted white with blue textured floor). Fear was operationally-defined as the absence of movement for at least two consecutive seconds, except gill or ocular motions. Results indicated that conditioned fear responses of nicotine and placebo-exposed fish to the novel or conditioning context were not significantly different.