Influence of stimulation of the olivocerebellar pathway by harmaline on spatial learning in the rat

C Meignin , Pascal Hilber (1) , J. Caston (2)

1 CRFDP - Centre de Recherches sur les Fonctionnements et Dysfonctionnements Psychologiques
2 PSY.CO - Psychologie et Neurosciences de la Cognition

Administration of harmaline to the rat, which activates synchronously and rhythmically the olivary neurons and the olivocerebellar pathway, elicits visuo-motor, spatial learning and spatial memory deficiencies which are dose-dependent. Since activation and lesion of the olivocerebellar pathway have similar effects, it is concluded that normal functioning of this pathway is required for spatial learning achievement. q

Keywords: Olivocerebellar pathway; Spatial learning; Spatial memory; Harmaline; Rat

Domains: Cognitive Sciences; Neurobiology; Psychology and behavior; Psychology; Pharmacology; Tissues and Organs [q-bio.TO]; Psychiatrics and mental health; Embryology and Organogenesis; Psychology; Neuroscience

C Meignin, Pascal Hilber, J. Caston. Influence of stimulation of the olivocerebellar pathway by harmaline on spatial learning in the rat. Brain Research, 1999, 824, pp.277 - 283. ⟨hal-02355833⟩