Stimulation of specific regions of brain in rats modifies retention for newly acquired and old habits
Department or Administrative Unit
Psychology
Document Type
Article
Author Copyright
Copyright © 1977, American Psychological Association
Publication Date
1977
Journal
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
Abstract
Three experiments investigated some effects of low-level stimulation on the amygdaloid complex (AMYG) and the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) in male Long-Evans rats. Exp I used a tilt box to test for motivational and/or reinforcement effects but failed to demonstrate these effects with stimulation of either structure. Exp II used a 1-trial fear-conditioning task and showed that stimulation of the AMYG disrupted retention when given immediately after training or, under some conditions, 4 days after training. Using the same task, Exp III showed that stimulation of the MRF enhanced retention when given immediately after training or, under some conditions, 4 days after training. Data indicate that under these conditions, modification of retention by low-level stimulation of specific brain structures is independent of the age of the memory.
Recommended Citation
DeVietti, T. L., & Kirkpatrick, B. R. (1977). Stimulation of specific regions of brain in rats modifies retention for newly acquired and old habits. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 91(3), 662–673. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077343
Comments
This article was originally published in Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.
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