Combination Effects of Forced Mild Exercise and GABAB Receptor Agonist on Spatial Learning, Memory, and Motor Activity in Striatum Lesion Rats

AbstractBasal ganglia (BG) lesions cause impairments of different mammalian’s movement and cognition behaviors. Motor circuit impairment has a dominant role in the movement disorders. An inhibitory factor in BG is GABA neurotransmitter, which is released from striatum. Lesions in GABAergic neurons could trigger movement and cognition disorders. Previous evidence showed that GABAB receptor agonist (Baclofen) administration in human improves movement disorders and exercise can improve neurodegenerative and cognitive decline; however, the effects of both Baclofen and mild forced treadmill exercise on movement disorders are not well known. The main objective of this study is to investigate the combined effects of mild forced treadmill exercise and microinjection of Baclofen in the internal Globus Pallidus on striatum lesion-induced impairments of spatial learning and motor activity. We used Morris water maze and open filed tests for studying spatial learning, and motor activity, respectively. Results showed t...