Andreea Păsculescu *, Isabel Cristescu *, Smaranda Stoleru *, Daniela Stanciu *, Teodora Răducanu *
* UMF “Carol Davila” București, Catedra de Farmacologie
Abstract
Since the senior people percentage increased as set forth by the demographic evolution, the study of mnesic and cognitive issues which mainly occur during cerebral aging has become a necessity.Starting from this basis the present work attempts to set up a behavioral test in rats to allow the study of a molecule supposed to be active on the memory: adenosine. The acquisition phase of the memory was influenced on male and female Wistar rats by injecting i.p. 20µg/kgc adenosine and 40 µg/kgc theophylline, while the control group received saline. The test involved the carrying out for 10 successive days of 2 passages through a Y- shaped maze every 6 hours, while upon the first passage one of the arms was closed. The number of visits in the new arm was assessed as well as the time percentage spent in the new arm, and the test and Anova were used to compare results. Adenosine injected before the first passage significantly decreased the number of visits in the new arm, while the percentage of time spent in the new arm undergoes a statistically significant increase (p < 0,05). Theophylline has contrary effects as compared to adenosine negatively influencing the acquisition. Although both adenosine and theophylline are, classically speaking, considered to act on the adenosinic receptors, by means of the above results we have demonstrated that these receptors are not involved in the memory process, the latter being based on other mechanisms.