MEMORY AND THE EFFECT OF COLD SHOCK IN THE WATER MAZE IN S100-BETA TRANSGENIC MICE

S100 beta, a calcium binding astrocytic brain protein, influences hipp ocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), synaptic pr ocesses suggested to play role in spatial (contextual) learning and me mory. In the present study we trained S100 beta transgenic and wild-ty pe control mice in a nonspatial version of the Morris water maze, the visible platform task, and analyzed retention of memory over periods o f 18 h, several days, and weeks. The results show that acquisition and retention were not altered in the S100 beta transgenic mice compared to control. However, a single alteration of an environmental stimulus, water temperature, significantly worsened the performance of transgen ic mice. This impairment lasted for two consecutive trials separated b y a 2-week intertrial interval, suggesting a temporary disturbance ass ociated with memory processes. We discuss the possibility that these r esults are compatible with normal cortical but abnormal hippocampal fu nctioning in the S100 beta transgenic mice.