Of molecules, memories, and migration: M1 acetylcholine receptors facilitate spatial memory formation and recall during migratory navigation

Many animals use complex cognitive processes, including the formation and recall of memories, for successful navigation. However, the developmental and neurological processes underlying these cognitive aspects of navigation are poorly understood. To address the importance of the formation and recollection of memories during navigation, we pharmacologically manipulated turtles (Chrysemys picta) that navigate long distances using precise, complex paths learned during a juvenile critical period. We treated freely-navigating turtles both within and outside of their critical learning period with a specific M1 acetylcholine-receptor antagonist, a drug known to disrupt spatial cognition. Experienced adult turtles lost all navigational ability under the influence of the drug, while naïve juveniles navigated successfully. We retested these same juveniles the following year (after they had passed their critical period). The juveniles that initially navigated successfully under the influence of th...

诸多动物借助包含记忆形成与提取在内的复杂认知过程，以达成高效导航。然而，这类导航认知过程背后的发育与神经生物学机制，目前仍未得到充分阐释。为探究导航过程中记忆形成与提取的重要性，本研究对西部锦龟（Chrysemys picta）实施药理学操控——该物种可通过幼体关键学习期内习得的精准复杂路径完成长距离导航。研究人员分别在幼龟的关键学习期内与期外，对自由导航的个体施加特异性M1型乙酰胆碱受体拮抗剂（M1 acetylcholine-receptor antagonist），该药物已被证实可干扰空间认知功能。经训练的成年个体在药物作用下完全丧失了导航能力，而未具备相关导航经验的幼龟则可顺利完成导航任务。次年（即这批幼龟度过关键学习期后），研究人员对其再次开展测试。最初在药物作用下顺利完成导航的幼龟……