Activation of GABA(A) receptors in the accessory olfactory bulb does not prevent the formation of an olfactory memory in mice

When female mice are mated, they form a memory to the pheromonal signal of their male partner. The neural mechanisms underlying this memory involve ch anges at the reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses between glutamatergic mitr al cells and gamma -aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic granule cells in the acc essory olfactory bulb (AOB). Blockade of GABAA receptors in the AOB leads t o the formation of an olfactory memory. In an attempt to disrupt memory for mation at mating, we used local infusions of the GABAA receptor agonist mus cimol into the AOB during the critical period for memory formation. Muscimo l across a wide range of doses (1-1000 pmol) did not prevent memory formati on. The resistance of this memory to GABAA receptor activation may reflect the complexity of synaptic microcircuits in the AOB.