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Spatial Memory Decreased by Ghrelin Antagonist

Ghrelin is known as the hunger hormone. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone, which is produced in the stomach to regulate appetite. When the stomach is empty ghrelin is produced, and when the stomach is stretched secretion stops. Ghrelin has also been linked to long-term potentiation and cognition. Specifically, previous research on ghrelin agonists has shown enhancement on spatial memory performance. This study seeks to find if the same results will be achieved with a ghrelin antagonist. Instead of using an agonist, we will produce ghrelin organically by food restriction, and then administer ghrelin antagonist to counter the effects of the organically produced ghrelin. There is one control group and four experimental groups, with different hours of food restriction. The mice are then tested in the maze to test spatial memory performance. The study is expected to find results that support the hypothesis that high levels of ghrelin will enhance spatial memory performance, and that the ghrelin antagonist group will perform worse on the spatial memory test.