Activation of adenosine receptors in the posterior cingulate cortex impairs memory retrieval in the rat

Adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptor agonists and antagonists have been reported to alter learning and memory. The aim of our study was to investigate the involvement of adenosinergic system in memory retrieval into posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) of Wistar rats. To clarify this question, we tested specifics agonist and antagonists of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors in rats submitted to a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. The stimulation of adenosine A(1) and A(2A), receptors by CPA and CGS21680, respectively, impaired memory retrieval for inhibitory avoidance task, into PCC. These findings provide behavioral evidence for the role of adenosinergic system in the memory retrieval into PCC. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.