6 Hippocampal glutamate release during learning and memory in rats without molars

Abstract

We investigated the effect of molar loss on learning and memory. Five-weeks-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a tooth extraction group and a control group. At seven weeks of age the animals were subjected to a passive-avoidance task consisting of acquisition and retention trials. Release of hippocampal glutamate was measured during the trials. A telemetric glutamate biosensor was used to measure the release of hippocampal glutamate before and after the start of each trial. Our findings suggest that molar loss may represent one factor hindering learning and memory.