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Ethanol-induced memory impairment in a discriminative avoidance task is state-dependent
Leandro Sanday1, Camilla L Patti, Karina A Zanin
1Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|July 26, 2012
Summary
Ethanol (EtOH) can cause memory loss, with state-dependency playing a key role at lower doses. Higher doses of EtOH cause amnesia regardless of timing, suggesting dose-dependent effects on memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Ethanol (EtOH) is known to cause amnestic effects.
- State-dependency's role in EtOH-induced amnesia has been overlooked.
- This study investigates state-dependency in EtOH-induced memory deficits and its interaction with anxiety and locomotion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of state-dependency in ethanol-induced anterograde amnesia.
- To examine the interaction between state-dependency, anxiolysis, and locomotor alterations induced by ethanol.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered 1.2 or 2.4 g/kg ethanol (EtOH) before training and/or testing.
- The plus-maze discriminative avoidance task was used to assess learning, memory, anxiety, and activity.
Main Results:
- Both doses of EtOH induced anxiolysis.
- The 1.2 g/kg dose of EtOH enhanced locomotion, while the 2.4 g/kg dose decreased it.
- Memory impairment from 1.2 g/kg EtOH was reversed by pretest administration, indicating state-dependency; 2.4 g/kg EtOH caused amnesia regardless of administration timing.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol-induced memory deficits are significantly related to state-dependency, influenced by dosage.
- Dose-dependent effects of ethanol on anxiety and motor activity may contribute to state-dependent memory deficits.
