Investigating the effects of intrahippocampal glucose administration on spatial working memory in rats
Panel Name
Brain Function and Mental Health: New Approaches in Technology, Psychology, and Neuroscience
Location
Lecture Center 6
Start Date
3-5-2019 3:15 PM
End Date
3-5-2019 4:30 PM
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Academic Major
Biological Science
Abstract
Insulin is a peptide hormone released by pancreatic cells that is known to regulate absorption of glucose into peripheral tissue. Insulin is also known to regulate glucose metabolism through the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling cascade and translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the cell surface. This canonical insulin signaling pathway is similar in both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). In vivo microdialysis studies have shown depletion of hippocampal extracellular fluid (ECF) glucose concentration during a cognitively-demanding task, indicating that the hippocampus depends on glucose metabolism for proper function. In order to maintain proper function, insulin-responsive hippocampal neurons and glia require glucose metabolism; an energy-yielding process that provides glucose. We hypothesized that insulin blockage attenuates glucose-induced hippocampal enhancement via disruption of the insulin signaling pathway. The present study aimed to investigate insulin’s role as a mediator of the enhancement of spatial working memory by exogenous glucose in vivo. Unexpectedly, unilateral intrahippocampal administration of supraphysiological glucose in a novel, larger microinjection volume significantly impaired spatial working memory. Our data suggest the insulin signaling pathway may work through alternative substrates, such as insulin-like growth factors I or II. Standard administration of supraphysiological glucose resulted in no significant effect on hippocampal function, suggesting that unilateral administration may be insufficient in affecting hippocampal function. Our results also suggest glucose-induced improvement of hippocampal function may work in a dose-dependent manner in the hippocampus. These unexpected findings contribute to the knowledge of glucose-induced hippocampal enhancement and its relation to proper insulin signaling.
Select Where This Work Originated From
Departmental Honors Thesis
Award
Situation Prize for Research
Award
Sorrell Chesin Research Award
First Faculty Advisor
Ewan McNay, Ph. D.
First Advisor Email
emcnay@albany.edu
First Advisor Department
Psychology
The work you will be presenting can best be described as
Finished or mostly finished by conference date
Investigating the effects of intrahippocampal glucose administration on spatial working memory in rats
Lecture Center 6
Insulin is a peptide hormone released by pancreatic cells that is known to regulate absorption of glucose into peripheral tissue. Insulin is also known to regulate glucose metabolism through the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling cascade and translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the cell surface. This canonical insulin signaling pathway is similar in both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). In vivo microdialysis studies have shown depletion of hippocampal extracellular fluid (ECF) glucose concentration during a cognitively-demanding task, indicating that the hippocampus depends on glucose metabolism for proper function. In order to maintain proper function, insulin-responsive hippocampal neurons and glia require glucose metabolism; an energy-yielding process that provides glucose. We hypothesized that insulin blockage attenuates glucose-induced hippocampal enhancement via disruption of the insulin signaling pathway. The present study aimed to investigate insulin’s role as a mediator of the enhancement of spatial working memory by exogenous glucose in vivo. Unexpectedly, unilateral intrahippocampal administration of supraphysiological glucose in a novel, larger microinjection volume significantly impaired spatial working memory. Our data suggest the insulin signaling pathway may work through alternative substrates, such as insulin-like growth factors I or II. Standard administration of supraphysiological glucose resulted in no significant effect on hippocampal function, suggesting that unilateral administration may be insufficient in affecting hippocampal function. Our results also suggest glucose-induced improvement of hippocampal function may work in a dose-dependent manner in the hippocampus. These unexpected findings contribute to the knowledge of glucose-induced hippocampal enhancement and its relation to proper insulin signaling.