Deficit in working memory and abnormal behavioral tactics in dopamine transporter knockout rats during training in the 8-arm maze

Understanding the role of the dopamine system in learning and memory processes is very important for uncovering central mechanisms underlying complex behavioral responses that can be impaired in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders caused by dopamine system dysfunction. One of the most useful animal models for dopaminergic dysregulation is the strain of dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats that have no dopamine re-uptake and thus elevated extracellular dopamine levels. It is known that dopamine is involved in various cognitive processes such as learning, memory and attention. This investigation was focused on the ability of DAT-KO rats to learn and perform a behavioral task in the 8-arm radial maze test. It was found that DAT-KO rats are able to learn the behavioral task, but the level of task performance did not reach that of WT group. The behavioral tactics used by animals during training significantly differ in mutants. The behavioral tactics used by DAT-KO rats involved perseverations and resulted in worse task fulfillment in comparison to wild-type controls. The data obtained indicate that deficient dopamine reuptake results in an impairment of working memory and perseverative behavioral tactics in DAT-KO rats.