The non-NMDA receptor antagonist NBQX does not affect rats performance in the object recognition task

Though the AMPA receptor has been implicated in several neudegenerative processes (epilepsy. ischemia, spasticity), its role in cognition is yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to assess in the rat the effects of the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX (3.5, 7, 10, 20 and 30 mg kg(-1), i.p.) on learning and memory. For this purpose, the object recognition task was chosen. NBQX, at the higher doses used (20 and 30 mg kg(-1)) caused respectively, depression of motility and ataxia, while given at lower doses (3.5, 7 and 10 mg kg(-1)) it did not influence animals performance in the object recognition paradigm. All rats acquired similarly well the task. In conclusion, these results would support and broaden previous observations on the lack of major involvement of AMPA receptors in the rat working memory mechanisms.