EFFECT OF ROTATORY VESTIBULAR STIMULATION ON LEARNING AND MEMORY IN RATS-STANDARDIZATION OF A NOVEL METHOD

Objective : To find out the effect of rotatory vestibular stimulation in cognition in rats through examining the behavioural patterns, the alterations in dendritic arborization and changes in AChE activity. Methods : Rotatory vestibular stimulation was provided in a rotatory vestibular apparatus at a rate of 50 rpm for 5 min, for 30 d for rats. 0.3 mg/kg of physostigmine also administered to rats of another group as a standard drug. No rotatory vestibular stimulation or physostigmine is provided to the control rats. Behavioural analysis, Neuromorphological and biochemical studies were done after vestibular stimulation. Results : No. of trails for acquisition and retention reduced significantly in treated rats when compared with the control rats. In all the treated rats the dendritic arborization increased significantly, and activity of AChE decreased significantly when compare with the control. Conclusion : Rotatory vestibular stimulation enhances learning and memory via increasing dendritic arborization and inhibiting acetyl-cholinesterase activity in rats.