Paradoxical sleep deprivation applied two days after end of training retards learning.
Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 98) were trained in a 2-way shuttle shock avoidance task (50 trials/day for two consecutive days) and then subjected to a paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) regime beginning at least 24 hours after the last training session. Results from the various PSD groups indicated that a vulnerable PS window exists from 48-72 hours after the end of the last training session. PSD during this time period produced severe retention deficits. These results suggest the existence of a very long term posttraining PS involvement in the learning/memory process.
Smith
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C
Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Kelly
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G
D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*