Altered acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) and maze performance of developing rats (Rattus norvegicus) following mesencephalic electrical brain stimulation

Abstract

Cortical arousal was altered by electrical brain stimulation (EBS) to the mesencephalic ascending reticular formation beginning at 27 days of age and administered 2 h/day for either 14 or 28 days. Subjects receiving brain stimulation from 27 to 41 days of age showed a significant decrease in telencephalon AChE activity and weight when compared to controls. These decreases in biochemical and physical parameters corresponded to a marked decrement in maze performance. The advantages and potential uses of the weanling chronic EBS preparation to investigate critical developmental periods are considered.