NMDA receptors role in the spatial memory reconsolidation process
Spatial memory, NMDAR, reconsolidation, GluN2B, GluN2A
Spatial memory is related to behaviors that involve encoding and retrieving information about the environment with the aim of spatial orientation of an individual. Significant deficits in this type of memory may be associated with aging or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. To form a long-term spatial memory (LSM), it is necessary that a consolidation process occurs that stabilizes the mnemonic trace. LSM creates records of information that are durable and stable, but may be changeable. The reactivation of spatial memory can destabilize the trait, which in order to persist requires a new restabilization process called reconsolidation. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptorsglutamatergic (NMDAR) are essential for the mechanism of reconsolidation of some types of memories, their subunits GluN2B and GluN2A participate in the phases of the reconsolidation process (destabilization and restabilization, respectively) of aversive memory. However, it is not known how these NMDA subunits participate in the reconsolidation of spatial memory, requiring their investigation due to the clinical importance of this type of memory. In view of the above, the main objective of this work is to characterize the role of hippocampal NMDAR in the spatial memory reconsolidation process. For this, male Wistar rats will be used, which will undergo the Morris water maze task where we will investigate the role of GluN2A and GluN2B in the process of destabilization and restabilization of spatial memory, as well as the signaling mediated by these two subtypes of NMDA receptors.