Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor on the Learning and Spatial Memory in Rats Subjected to Long-Term Perinatal Administration of Caffeine

We studied the effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine on learning and spatial memory in rats exposed to long-term administration to caffeine during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. The rats perinatally receiving caffeine demonstrated high learning ability in the Morris water maze. At the same time, the ability to remember the location of the hidden platform in the trial probe in these rats was reduced in comparison with that of the control group rats perinatally receiving water. Administration of aminoguanidine to rats under conditions of perinatal exposure to caffeine significantly improved the parameters of spatial learning and memory. Thus, inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase has a beneficial effect on the cognitive functions in offspring perinatally receiving caffeine.