TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS IMPAIR LONG-TERM-MEMORY FORMATION IN DAY-OLD CHICKS

The involvement of protein kinases in numerous neuronal cellular proce sses, including learning and memory, has been well established, partic ularly regarding serine/threonine kinases. In the present study, the r ole of protein kinases in learning was further examined through an inv estigation of the effects of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activity on memory formation. The present findings reveal that the intracranial a dministration of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and lavendus tin A produced retention deficits in day-old chicks trained on a singl e-trial passive avoidance task. These deficits were not apparent until 90 min after the training episode and were not observed at all in chi cks administered control substances. The possibility that the tyrosine phosphorylation disrupted by the presence of the inhibitors is relate d to NMDA glutamate receptor activation is considered. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science B.V.