Abstract:

Objective To observe the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia on spatial learning and memory in mice. Methods Twentyfour C57BL/6 mice were divided into anesthesia group and control group (n=12). Since the following day, Morris water maze was performed on mice in both groups, including 4 trail days and 1 probe day. Latency, distance and average swimming velocity were recorded during trail days. Times across the platform, time during platform quadrant and time percent during platform quadrant were recorded on probe day. The data were statistically analyzed. Results From trail day 2-4, latencies of mice in anesthesia group were significantly shorter than those in control group (P<0.05). On trail day 2, distance of mice in anesthesia group was also significantly shorter than that of control group (P<0.05). On probe day, time during platform quadrant and time percent during platform quadrant in anesthesia group were significantly longer than those in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane anesthesia improves not only learning ability but also spatial memory in mice.

Key words: sevoflurane, Morris water maze, learning ability, spatial memory