title: Repeated Acquisition in the Morris Swim Task: Effects of MDMA, Methamphetamine and Methylphenidate.
abstract: Acute effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine (MA) and methylphenidate (MPD) were studied using a within-subject, repeated acquisition/performance procedure adapted to the Morris Swim Task. To investigate place learning, the acquisition component consisted of a hidden platform that varied in location across experimental sessions. As a control for drug effects not specific to acquisition, a performance component was included in which the hidden platform was in the same pool location in every experimental session. All three drugs increased escape latencies and swim distances in dose-dependent fashion. However, impairment in the acquisition component was generally observed only at doses that also produced impairment in the performance component, suggesting that effects were not selective to place learning. None of the drugs produced enhancement of learning or performance at any dose. Taken together, the results suggest that acute exposure to these psychomotor stimulants produce global impairment of performance in the Morris task, rather than specific deficits in place learning.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Galizio
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: Bridget D
authors: BD
authors: Byrd
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: Andrea M
authors: AM
authors: Robinson
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Hawkey
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Rayburn-Reeves
authors: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
authors: L Brooke
authors: LB
authors: April
keywords: MDMA; Methamphetamine; Methylphenidate; Morris Swim Task; Spatial Learning