A comparison of contextual and generalized auditory-cue fear conditioning: evidence for similar memory processes.
A number of variables influence contextual, but not auditory-cue, fear conditioning. However, several of these variables (isolation, stimulus preexposure, retention interval, and age) affect generalized auditory-cue fear. More generalized fear was found when (a) rats were isolated in a novel environment than when returned to their home cages, (b) the retention interval was 3 hr rather than 24 hr, and (c) in 18-day-old compared with 25-day-old rats. Moreover, preexposure to the auditory cue eliminated the isolation effect. At a behavioral-psychological level, these variables may exert their effects by influencing the processes that construct a memory representation of the stimulus. At a neural systems level, they may influence processing carried out in the thalamo-corticoamygdaloid auditory pathway.
Rudy
J W
JW
Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder. jrudy@clipr.colorado.edu
Pugh
C R
CR
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D004597:Electroshock; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005795:Generalization, Stimulus / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006702:Homing Behavior; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats