Facilitation and disruption of memory for the passive avoidance task in the day-old chick using dopamine D1 receptor...

This series of studies provides a behavioural account of dopamine D1-receptor-dependent facilitation and disruption of memory for the single-trial passive avoidance task in the day-old chick. The D1 antagonist, SCH23390, induced memory disruption in a dose-dependent manner from 60 min after training with a strong (100% methyl anthranilate) aversant experience. The D1 agonist, SKF38393, was found to facilitate memory in chicks given a weak (20% vol/vol methyl anthranilate) training experience. The D2 antagonist, sulpiride, and the D2 agonist, quinpirole, showed no memory effects. The research indicates an important role for dopamine D1-dependent mechanisms in memory formation in the chick.