Cognition and Memory in the Goldfish (Carassius Auratus) A Study Exploring the Novel Serotonin Antagonist, SB-258585

Nick Mackin

Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Goldfish, Serotonin, Learning

Area of Concentration

Biopsychology

Abstract

The common goldfish, Carassius Auratus, was tested in a two way avoidance learning shuttle box paradigm. Research in mammals and now in teleosts strongly suggests a negative correlation between avoidance in this task and increased serotonergic activity. Forty five subjects were divided into three groups according to drug treatment. Fluoxetine, as an SSRI, was used to increase the concentration of serotonin in the synapses of the central nervous system, and a highly selective antagonist for the 5-HT6 site, SB-258585, was used in comparison. The drugs were delivered right into the aquaria via pipet once both drugs were diluted. The subjects were trained for 23 sessions, 15 trials per session. As hypothesized, SB-258585 treated subjects consistently and significantly avoided and escaped more than the other two groups. And, on the contrary, the Fluoxetine treated group clearly and significantly avoided less, and consequently failed more. Increased escape activity in the 5-HT6 blocked group is presumed to have allowed the subjects to learn the paradigm quicker, while the large number of failures suggests that satiety factored into the motivational states of the subjects. This study has demonstrated significant drug effects on subjects� overall performance. Serotonin is implicated in limbic related memory consolidation, cognition, and motor functioning. This study warrants future investigations concerning serotonin and this paradigm, but it is clear that SB-258585 is a very potent antagonist.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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