The role of striatal acetylcholine in cognition: Assessment of a novel genetic mouse model

Abstract

The role of striatal acetylcholine in cognition is currently unknown. A genetic mouse model has been developed which disables the cholinergic system in the striatum by targeting the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT). Striatal VAChT mice were tested to determine the role of striatal ACh in cognition. Results from the present study indicate that VAChT mice are impaired at an object recognition paradigm when the memory retention delay is 15-minutes, whereas recognition is preserved with a 3-hour delay. Male mice show impairment in short-term social recognition. Mice showed normal performance on a spatial task. When assessed on the 5-choice serial reaction time task, it was found that VAChT mice had reduced attention performance. VAChT mice have impairments in behavioural flexibility when given a large amount of visual discrimination training. The present research suggests that striatal ACh is involved in aspects of cognition.