Summary
Effect of ECS on memory retention was studied in Octopus vulgaris. Two methods of training were used.
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1.
Animals trained in a shuttle-box to swim from a dark to a light compartment and to remain there during 25 sec to avoid electroshock, were given 20 learning trials on Day 1 and 10 retention trials 3 days later. No improvement in the performance occurred concerning anticipatory runs to the light compartment but a significant decrease in the number of returns to the dark compartment (incorrect crossings) during Day 1 was recorded. ECS within 1 min after trial 20 caused significant deficits in retention.
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2.
Animals that previously had been learnt to attack a vertical rectangle moved up and down, were given 30 trials during which if octopuses attacked the shape they would now receive a shock. 15 retention trials were run 2 days later. ECS within 1 min after trial 30 caused significant deficit in retention.
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The author is indebted to Professor J. Z. Young for valuable help and discussion. Construction of apparatus used in this research has been sponsored by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, England. The table used in the Naples Zoological Station was sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Figures have been drawn by Mr. J. Machin.
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Maldonado, H. Effect of electroconvulsive shock on memory in Octopus vulgaris Lamarck. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 59, 25–37 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298809
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298809