Effects of 4-aminopyridine on classical conditioning of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) nictitating membrane response.
A large body of data suggests that potassium channels may play an important role in learning and memory. Previous in-vitro research in a number of species including Hermissenda and the rabbit suggests that a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient potassium channel may be involved in classical conditioning. We investigated the effects of in-vivo 4-aminopyridine administration (0.5 mg/kg) on classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response using a battery of tests designed to assess the associative, sensory, and motor contributors of 4-aminopyridine to responding. 4-Aminopyridine enhanced both classical conditioning and conditioning-specific reflex modification compared with a saline vehicle control, and these effects had several nonassociative components including an increase in the frequency of responding to both the conditioned and the unconditioned stimuli, suggesting a sensitizing effect of the drug. Although 4-aminopyridine can have peripheral effects, it may also modify cerebellar excitability or hippocampal neurotransmitter balance resulting in heightened responsiveness to stimulation.
Wang
Desheng
D
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA.
Darwish
Deya S
DS
Schreurs
Bernard G
BG
D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001767:Blinking; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015761:4-Aminopyridine