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Spatial Learning Requires mGlu5 Signalling in the Dorsal Hippocampus

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Abstract

We examined the role of hippocampal metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) in spatial learning and memory. Although it has been shown that mGlu5 signalling is required for certain forms of learning and memory, its role in spatial learning is unclear since studies using pharmacological or knockout mice models provide inconsistent findings. Additionally, the location in the brain where mGlu5 signalling may modulate such learning is yet to be precisely delineated. We stereotaxically injected rAAV-Cre into the dorsal hippocampus of mGlu5loxP/loxP mice to knockdown mGlu5 in that region. We show for the first time that knockdown of mGlu5 in the dorsal hippocampus is sufficient to impair spatial learning in Morris Water Maze. Locomotor activity and memory retrieval were unaffected by the mGlu5 knockdown. Taken together, these findings support a key role for dorsal hippocampal mGlu5 signalling in spatial learning.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr Anis Contractor (Northwestern University, Chicago USA) for supply of mGlu5loxP/loxP mice. This research was supported by a project grant (APP1022201) from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia awarded to AJL and JHK; Australian Research Council fellowships awarded to JRD and JHK, and NHMRC fellowships awarded to RADB and AJL. We acknowledge the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program. We would also like to thank Dr Chris Bye and the Florey Behaviour Core Facility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Shawn Zheng Kai Tan, Despina E. Ganella, Alec Lindsay Ward Dick, Jhodie R. Duncan, Jee Hyun Kim & Andrew J. Lawrence

  2. Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Despina E. Ganella, Alec Lindsay Ward Dick, Emma Ong-Palsson, Ross A. D. Bathgate, Jee Hyun Kim & Andrew J. Lawrence

  3. Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Shawn Zheng Kai Tan & Jhodie R. Duncan

  4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Ross A. D. Bathgate

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  1. Shawn Zheng Kai Tan
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Correspondence to Andrew J. Lawrence.

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Tan, S.Z.K., Ganella, D.E., Dick, A.L.W. et al. Spatial Learning Requires mGlu5 Signalling in the Dorsal Hippocampus. Neurochem Res 40, 1303–1310 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-015-1595-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-015-1595-0

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