Potency of Photoflash-Produced Retrograde Amnesia in Rats.
Abstract
A photoflash has been shown to be an effective amnesiac under certain conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a photoflash in relation to the potency of the preceding event, a foot shock of varying intensities. The task was a single avoidance-trial paradigm. The subject was placed in a small aversive chamber with a door that allowed the subject to enter a large, preferred chamber. Once inside the preferred chamber, the subject received a 1-s foot shock followed by a photoflash. On the avoidance trail, the subject was again placed in the aversive chamber and the time required to enter the preferred chamber was measured. If the photoflash had produced retrograde amnesia (RA), the time required to enter would be small. Retrograde amnesia was demonstrated for the 80-, 85-, and 100-V foot-shock test trials. At 40 V the voltage may not have been great enough to be felt by the subject. For groups examined at shock levels above 100 V, the foot shock was so potent that a photoflash was ineffective in producing RA. Our conclusion was that the photoflash was an effective amnesiac until the intensity of the foot shock became more potent than the photoflash; this is consistent with the recency theory generated in serial learning and memory tasks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA159149
Entities
People
- K. R. Page
- T. G. Wheeler
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine