Differences in learning and memory between middle-aged female and male rats.

Authors

Natalia Claudia Colettis, Martín Habif, María Victoria Oberholzer, Federico Filippin, Diana Alicia Jerusalinsky

Published in

Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). Volume 29. Issue 5. Pages 120-125. Epub Apr 15, 2022.

Abstract

We observed differences in cognitive functions between middle-aged female and male Wistar rats. Both (like youngsters) discriminated new versus familiar objects, showing similar short- and long-term memory (STM and LTM, respectively). Only females show robust LTM for new location of an object. Both successfully form LTM of inhibitory avoidance, though males appeared to be amnesic for memory persistence. Habituation, locomotion, horizontal exploration, "stereotypies," fear, and anxiety-like behavior were similar for both, while vertical exploration was significantly higher in middle-aged and younger females. Therefore, sex-dependent differences in some cognitive functions and behaviors must be considered when designing and interpreting learning and memory studies.

PMID:
35428728
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Oct 2025.

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