Abstract
Drug-dependent learning (lack of transfer between drug states) was demonstrated and disrupted in an escape learning, forced choice T-maze task. A drug-dependent learning (DDL) group was trained to escape foot shock (0.65 mA) while in a drug (chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride) state. These rats subsequently responded randomly on non-shock test trials in the non-drug state, but continued to respond significantly (P<0.02) above random level when in the training drug state. Four transfer groups were also trained in the Drug state, but with a 1 kHz auditory tone simultaneously paired with foot shock. Each Transfer group received a different (0.10, 0.65, 3.5, and 4.5 mA) foot shock intensity during training. The auditory tone continued to be sounded during testing with no foot shock, and percentage correct turns, first-trial correct turns, and latency scores were significantly (P<0.01) different from the DDL group's performance. The results were interpreted as demonstrating that an emotionally-important auditory stimulus could initiate a memory retrieval process that could overcome a physiological state. This memory retrieval process was not modified by wide variations in foot shock intensity.
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Connelly, J.F., Connelly, J.M. & Nevitt, J.R. Effect of foot-shock intensity on amount of memory retrieval in rats by emotionally important stimuli in a drug-dependent learning escape design. Psychopharmacology 51, 153–157 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431732
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431732