EFFECTS OF SEX AND MK-801 ON AUDITORY-PROCESSING DEFICITS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL MICROGYRIC LESIONS IN RATS

Neonatally induced microgyric lesions produce defects in rapid auditor y processing in adult male rats. Given that females across species are less susceptible to the deleterious effects of neural injury and that treatment with neuroprotective agents at the time of injury can reduc e neural damage, the authors tested the effects of sex and neuroprotec tant exposure on the behavioral consequences of microgyric lesions in rats. Results showed that sham but not microgyric males were able to p erform the task at the fastest rate of stimulus presentation. Microgyr ic females, in contrast, discriminated at all stimulus conditions and did not differ from female shams. Microgyric males treated with MK-801 had reduced cortical damage and performed the discrimination at the f astest condition. Results suggest that females are less susceptible to the behavioral effects of neocortical microgyria and that MK-801 may ameliorate the behavioral consequences of these lesions in male rats.