Integration of gene- regulators neurogenesis in the process of the spatial memory trace fixation

The aim of this study was a comparative investigation of the transcriptional activity of Ascl1 (Mash 1) and S100a6 genes involved in the regulation of various stages of neurogenesis in cerebral structures during the formation of spatial memory in mature Wistar rats. Methods. In behavioral experiments in 2 animal group, namely, forced swimming (active control) group and trained group, a model for the development of long-term spatial memory in the Morris water maze was used. In genetic experiments, the real-time PCR method was used to clarify the expression of Ascl1, S100a6 genes in different cerebral structures in native, control and trained animals. Results. It was shown that the criterion for establishing a strong long-term memory was the fact that the time to reach the platform for animal at the end of the 4th session on the 4th day of training was less than 10 seconds. Specific expression of Ascl1 and S100a6 genes in the hippocampus, which differs from the prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum, has been revealed. The correlative analysis revealed that the study of the simultaneous expression of the two Ascl1 and S100a6 genes in these cerebral structures made it possible to detect specific intra- and interstructural interrelationships of the activity of these genes in the brain resulting from the formation of long-term spatial memory, distinct from those in the forced swimming animals in the Morris water labyrinth, as well as from native rats. The results confirm the role of the hippocampus as the main brain structure in the formation of long-term spatial memory, as well as the integrative connection of the hippocampus with the prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum. The structural, genetic and molecular combination of processes occurring in the brain is important for creating new neural circuits for the consolidation and reconsolidation of memory traces involving neurogenesis processes.