Selective and long-term learning impairment following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain insult in rats

We examined four different learning and memory tasks in rats which had been subjected to left carotid artery ligation followed by 2 h hypoxia (8% oxyg en) when they were 7 days old. The examination began on the 4th week after insult and continued to 18 weeks post-insult. Compared with the control gro up, the hypoxic-ischemic group showed significant learning impairments in c hoice reaction time tasks relating to the attention process, and in plus-ma ze tasks and water maze tasks which examine long-term reference memory. In eight-arm radial maze tasks representing both short-term working memory and long-term reference memory, inferiority of the hypoxic-ischemic group was transient. Results of the sensorimotor test were normal in the hypoxic-isch emic group although slight flexion and twisting in the right forelimb was o bserved in 30% of the hypoxic-ischemic group when suspended by the tail. Th ese abnormalities did not affect the results of learning tests. Findings of the study indicate that left-side brain damage produced by hypoxia-ischemi a at 7 days of age resulted in selective and long-lasting learning and memo ry impairment. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.