Bailey, A. M., Kallarackal, A. J., Chen, M. , & Simard, J. M. (2006, October). Apamin significantly improves spatial cognition in a mouse model of Neurofibromatosis 1. Poster session to be presented at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder known to cause a variety of physiological symptoms and is associated with visuospatial learning impairments.  Investigations with a mouse model of neurofibromatosis 1 (Nf1) have previously found impaired long-term potentiation, a significant up-regulation of small conductance calcium activated potassium type 1 (SK1) channels, and impaired spatial learning in a water maze.  We investigated possible involvement of SK1 channels in spatial learning deficits in Nf1+/- mice by administering apamin, a potent SK channel blocker, and examining performance in a water maze.  Forty-four Nf1+/- mice and 41 C57BL6 (wild type, WT) mice were administered either 0.2 mg/kg apamin, 0.4 mg/kg apamin, or physiological saline through i.p. injection or micro-osmotic pumps.  All mice were given 24 spatial training trials over 6 days with probe tests conducted immediately following the 4th, 12th, 20th, and 24th trials. Immediately following the final probe test, mice were given a visual test in the water maze. There were no differences between Nf1+/- and WT mice in the visual test.  Nf1+/- mice treated with saline were significantly impaired in the water maze in comparison to WT mice.  Both 0.2 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg of apamin significantly improved water maze performance in the Nf1+/- mice on the third day of training and on the corresponding probe test.  The results indicate a significant improvement in spatial cognition following apamin treatment in Nf1+/- mice and a potential direction for future research regarding the learning deficits seen in NF1.