Effect of physostigmine and atropine on the single-trial passive avoidance response in rats.
Rats received a single training trial on an inhibitory avoidance (passive avoidance) task and retention trials 24 hr (R-I) and 48 hr (R-II) later, in a special two-chambered apparatus, and the mean step-through latency was determined. The animals were given the drug, either pre-trial, pre-trial plus pre-retention, pre-retention or post-trial. Physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg, ip) and atropine (6.0 mg/kg, ip) had no effect on learning, but they adversely affected retention, particularly at 24 hr. The effect seems to involve central cholinergic mechanisms of retention.
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D001285:Atropine; D010830:Physostigmine