Abstract
Acquisition and retention of a delayed alternation task by rats genetically deficient in vasopressin (AVP) due to the homozygous occurrence of the Brattleboro diabetes insipidus (DI) gene (M520/DI) were compared to the response of rats that were heterozygous (M520/HZ) or normal (M520/N) with respect to the DI gene. No significant difference in the adaptation to the apparatus was observed between the groups. However, the rate at which the M520/DI rats acquired the alternation task was significantly slower than the acquisition rates of M520/HZ and M520/N rats. In addition, the maximum intertrial interval reached by the M520/DI rats was significantly shorter than the intertrial intervals reached by the M520/HZ and M520/N rats, indicating the ability to retain information was impaired in the M520/DI rats. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that AVP modulates the acquisition and retention of information for normal memory processes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 827-830 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physiology and Behavior |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1992 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Acquisition
- Delayed alternation
- Food-reinforcement
- M520 strain
- Memory
- T-maze
- Vasopressin
- Vasopressin-deficient rats
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience