Nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions facilitate two-way active avoidance

Bilateral ibotenic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM), which resulted in 30% depletion of cortical choline acetyltransferase, facilitated acquisition of shuttlebox two-way active avoidance learning in rats. These results contrast with a report of impaired two-way active avoidance after bilateral electrolytic lesions of the NBM, but support findings of facilitation after ibotenic acid lesions. The data suggest that electrolytic lesions impair shuttlebox learning by damaging fibers of passage in the vicinity of the NBM.