[Characteristics of the formation of short-term memory in rats at various time intervals between tests]

Dependency of the speed of short-term memory formation in rats on the intertrial interval was studied. The so called direct method was applied for determining the delay time of the complex perception of food location. Conclusion is made that not less than 2 minutes intertrial intervals appear to be optimal for the formation of short-term memory. Such behavioural manifestations as omission of separate trials, lengthening of the time both for grooming and running to the feeder are considered to the manifestation of brain self-regulation activity. Attention is paid to the fact that such a form of behaviour is characteristic of one group of rats and not of the other.