[Effect of deprivation of paradoxical sleep on retention of the "passive" avoidance response]

The effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation on the retention of passive avoidance was studied in rats. The analysis of the data obtained shows that paradoxical sleep deprivation produces impairment of the criterian of passive avoidance retention, latency prolongation of this reaction and augmentation of rat's motor activity in open field. It may be suggested that impairment of the criterion might be due to enhancement of motor activity, rather than to deprivation of paradoxical sleep per se.