Effect of stimulants, depressants, and protein synthesis inhibition on retention. [Mice]

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Behav. Biol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6773(77)90734-9· OSTI ID:7055414

Flood, J F ^[1]; Jarvik, M E; Bennett, E L; Orme, A E; Rosenzweig, M R

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles

This study tested the hypothesis that the level of arousal is an important determinant of memory trace formation. The amnesia was caused in mice by inhibition of cerebral protein synthesis with anisomycin. The level of arousal was modified by the use of excitant and depressant drugs. Post-training administration of a stimulant (d-amphetamine, strychnine, or picrotoxin) counteracts the amnesic effects of protein synthesis inhibition, so that amnesia does not occur unless the duration of inhibition is lengthened. Stimulants show a time dependency, since they are less effective when administered at longer intervals after training. Depressants enhance the amnesia resulting from protein synthesis inhibition. Biochemical experiments showed that depressants alone had only slight effects on the rate of protein synthesis. In combination with anisomycin, the depressant did not markedly prolong the duration or increase the degree of inhibition. Stimulants, either by themselves or in combination with the inhibitors, had little or no effect on protein synthesis. The results are all consistent with the hypothesis that the level of arousal following acquisition plays an important role in determining the length of time over which the biosynthetic phase of memory formation will last.

• OSTI ID: 7055414
• Journal Information: Behav. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Behav. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN BHBLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALOIDS
AMINES
ANIMALS
AZOLES
BENZEDRINE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DRUGS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INDOLES
INHIBITION
MAMMALS
MICE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
PYRROLES
RODENTS
STIMULATION
STRYCHNINE
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
SYNTHESIS
VERTEBRATES