EFFECTS OF CODEINE ON MEMORY AND LEARNING IN MICE
Memory represents a biological process incorporating a variety of cognitive attributes such as the conjunction between memory of previous actions and memory of previous knowledge. Neurobehaviour is broadly used to express the idea that all experiences have both psychosocial and biological contexts. Codeine is a pain killer but also an addictive Opioid. Taken in excess, it can cause schizophrenia and organ failure. Codeine syrup addiction is a problem across Africa, with reports of addiction. This research investigates the effects of codeine on short term memory and learning using object recognition test and elevated plus maze in mice. The codeine was diluted at a concentration of 10%w/v from the stock solution 100%w/v and used for this study. Ten mice were used for this study; the mice were randomly divided into two groups of 5 mice each. Group 1 served as the control group while Group 2 mice were orally administered 0.5 ml of 10%w/v codeine for three weeks. Learning and memory tests using elevated plus maze and novel object recognition were carried out at the end of the second week of administration. The results revealed that in the elevated plus maze test, the mice administered codeine 10%w/v 0.5 ml spent more time in the plus maze compared to the control group in day 1 (57.40 ± 14.25) as compared to the control group with (19.20 +4.25), day 2 (87.80 ± 11.52) as compared to the control group with (12.40 ± 1.03), day 3 (54.60 ± 12.15) when compared to the control group (11.40 ± 1.03), day 4 (38.20 ± 10.37) as compared to the control group (11.80 ± 1.43). Furthermore, the novel object recognition test also revealed a statistically significant difference in discriminative index (P<0.05). Codeine decreased memory and learning in mice in this study. The availability of codeine to the general public should be more regulated.
Keywords: Codeine, elevated plus maze, learning, memory, mice,
*Correspondence: toryila.joseph@binghamuni.edu.ng, 08035996840
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