Abstract:

Objective〓〖WTBZ〗To investigate the abilities of learning and memory in temporal lobe epileptic rats after the Morris water maze(MWM) task training and its relationship with seizure frequency and expression of the N-methyl-D-asparat acid receptor 2B(NR2B). 〖WTHZ〗Methods〓〖WTBZ〗60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the epilepsy group and the control group. The epilepsy models were established by kainic acid(KA) injection into the right hippocampus and the control group(group C) only received normal saline. The epilepsy group was subdivided into group A (epilepsy MWM training group) and group B (epilepsy MWM no- training group). Then learning and memory abilities were tested after MWM training. The expression level of NR2B in the hippocampus was determined by immunohistochemical techniques. 〖WTHZ〗Results〓〖WTBZ〗Compared with the control group, learning and memory abilities of group A were obviously impaired and the expression of NR2B of groups A and B was decreased at 28 and 42 days (P＜0.05，P＜0.01). Compared with group B，the expression of NR2B of groups A and C was increased at 28 and 42 days (P＜0.05，P＜0.01). In group A, learning and memory abilities and the expression of NR2B were all decreased by degrees on 28 and 42 days(P＜0.05，P＜0.01), and the difference was statistical(P＜0.05). Group B was similar. 〖WTHZ〗Conclusion〓decrease of NR2B in the hippocampus might result in impairment of learning and memory abilities of temporal lobe epileptic rats.

Key words: Epilepsy, temporal lobe, Cognition disorders, Receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate, Hippocampus, Rats, inbrea strains