Time-dependent retention deficits induced by post-training injections of atropine into the caudate nucleus

Rats were trained on a one-trial passive avoidance task, and retention of the task measured 24 hr later. Atropine was injected bilaterally into the anterior caudate nuclei (ACN) of rats from independent groups at one of several intervals after training. Application of atropine 2 min after training produced a lack of retention of passive avoidance. An intermediate degree of impairment was seen when the treatment was given 3 min 45 sec after the learning experience, and interference with retention was still noted when an interval of 7 min 30 sec was studied. In contrast, no deficits were observed in groups of animals injected with atropine 15 or 30 min after training. Rats injected with atropine into the parietal cortex 2 min after training showed only a minimal reduction of retention, and a group injected with saline solution into the ACN performed as well as non-treated animals. These results suggest that there is a time-dependent process that mediates the retention of passive avoidance, and that this process requires the activation of cholinergic synapses within the anterior caudate nucleus.