Skip to main content
Log in

A 24-hour rhythm in passive-avoidance behaviour in rats

  • Published:
Psychopharmacologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The 24 h variation in the passive avoidance response of rats was measured. Different groups of 18 animals were tested at 4 hourly intervals throughout 24 h. In all cases, retention was measured 48 h after the first trial. All animals were housed under controlled conditions for 14 days before testing. A significant 24-h rhythm in passive avoidance response was found, the maximum and minimum effects being in the middle of the light and dark phases respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ancill, R. J., Davies, J. A., Redfern, P. H.: Circadian rhythms, Hallucinogenic drugs and brain amines in rats. Clin. Trials J. 7, 14–28 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aschoff, J.: Comparative physiology: diurnal rhythms. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 25, 581–600 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buresova, O., Bures, J., Bohdanecky, Z., Weizz, T.: Effect of atropine on learning, extinction, retention and retrieval in rats. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 5, 255–263 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • DeCoursey, Patricia J.: Phase control of activity in a rodent. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 25, 49–55 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dismukes, R. K., Rake, A. B.: Involvement of biogenic amines in memory formation. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.) 23, 17–25 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, A. H., Walker, C. A.: Circadian rhythms in rat mid-brain and caudate nucleus biogenic amine levels. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 197, 77–85 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halberg, F.: Temporal co-ordination of physiologic function. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 25, 289–309 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday, M. S.: Exploration and fear in the rat. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 18, 45–59 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haus, E.: Periodicity in response and susceptibility to environmental stimuli. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 117, 292–319 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier, J. G., Davies, J. A., Redfern, P. H.: An environmental cabinet for small animals. J. Interdisciplinary Cycle Res. (1973) (in press)

  • Peacock, L. J., Hodge, M. H., Thomas, R. K.: Ultrasonic measurement and automatic analysis of general activity in the rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol. 62, 284–288 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, C. P.: A behaviouristic study of the activity of the rat. Comp. Psychol. Monogr. 1, 1–55 (1922)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandman, C. A., Kastin, A. J., Schally, A. V.: Behavioural inhibition as modified by melanocyte-stimulating hormone and light-dark conditions. Physiol. Behav. 6, 45–48 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheving, L. E., Harrison, W. H., Gordon, P., Pauly, J. E.: Daily fluctuation (circadian and ultradian) in biogenic amines of the rat brain. Amer. J.Physiol. 214, 166–173 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, G., McGaugh, J. L., Alpern, H. P.: Periodicity and memory in mice. Psychonom. Sci. 8, 201–202 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Davies, J.A., Navaratnam, V. & Redfern, P.H. A 24-hour rhythm in passive-avoidance behaviour in rats. Psychopharmacologia 32, 211–214 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428692

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428692

Key words

Navigation