ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Memory
;
Learning
;
Storage amnesia
;
Norepinephrine
;
Dopamine beta-hydroxylase
;
Biochemical assay
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DDC), a dopamine-B-hydroxylase inhibitor, when injected into rats 30 min to 6 h before training of a passive avoidance task, impaired formation of long-term memory as indicated by performance on a retention test 24 h later. Performance of the task was at its minimum when injection occurred 2 to 4 h prior to training; recovery was evident in animals trained 5 or 6 h after drug treatment. Catecholamine assay of brains of temporally yoked animals showed that norepinephrine depletion followed a time course paralleling that of the amnesia. These findings support the hypothesis that the degree of memory storage, as reflected in performance following training in a passive avoidance task, can be directly correlated with the level of norepinephrine existing at the time of training.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00427625
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