Decreased performance in a delayed alternation task by rats genetically deficient in vasopressin.
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.
Colombo
G
G
Division of Intramural Clinical and Biomedical Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Hansen
C
C
Hoffman
P L
PL
Grant
K A
KA
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000502:physiology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011910:Rats, Brattleboro; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012931:Social Environment
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin