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Posttrial d-amphetamine sulfate and one-trail learning in mice.
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
|August 1, 1975
Summary
D-amphetamine sulfate impairs memory in mice when given immediately after punishment-based learning. However, delaying the dose or using reward-based tasks prevents this impairment, suggesting memory mechanisms are key.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Amphetamines are known to affect cognitive functions, including learning and memory.
- The precise mechanisms by which amphetamines influence memory consolidation remain under investigation.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of d-amphetamine sulfate on memory consolidation in mice.
- To determine if the effects of d-amphetamine sulfate are dependent on the type of learning task (punishment vs. reward).
- To explore the role of memory mechanisms in mediating amphetamine-induced behavioral changes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were trained on a one-trial passive avoidance learning task involving footshock (punishment).
- Mice were also trained on a one-trial appetitive learning task involving water reward.
- d-amphetamine sulfate was administered intravenously at different time points (immediately after learning, 90 seconds after).
- Performance was assessed in retention tests conducted at various intervals (24 hr, 96 hr, 6 wk).
Main Results:
- Intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg d-amphetamine sulfate immediately after a punishment-based learning task significantly impaired memory retention at 24 and 96 hours.
- Delaying the injection by 90 seconds abolished the memory impairment.
- The same dose of d-amphetamine sulfate administered immediately after a reward-based learning task did not affect retention performance.
- No discernible effects on performance were observed in retention tests 24 hours and 6 weeks later for the appetitive task.
Conclusions:
- The effects of d-amphetamine sulfate on learning behavior are contingent upon the nature of the learning experience, specifically whether it involves punishment or reward.
- The findings suggest that amphetamine-induced behavioral effects can be explained by their influence on memory consolidation processes.
- Timing of drug administration relative to the learning event is critical for observing effects on memory.