Disruption of spatial cognition by intra-accumbens injection of Cav2.2 inhibitor

Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 channels have predominantly expressions at presynaptic neuronal terminals and mediate neurotransmitter release in the central nervous systems. Although it has been reported that spatial learning requires Cav2.1-regulated signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), Cav2.2-regulated function remains unknown. In this study we examined whether Cav2.2-mediated signaling in NAc plays role in spontaneous alternation patterns of Y maze test. Mice received intraaccumbens injection of Cav2.2 blocker (ω-conotoxin GVIA, 5pg/side) showed impaired spontaneous alternation patterns. Our results indicate that Cav2.2-mediated signaling in the nucleus accumbens is also critical for spatial cognition.