Pre-test epinephrine injections reverse DDC-induced retrograde amnesia.

Abstract

The effects of pre-test systemic administration of epinephrine on DDC-induced retrograde amnesia (RA) for discriminated Pavlovian fear-conditioning were examined in rats. Epinephrine reversed RA with the optimal dosage being 0.05 mg/kg. Apparently, the effect was specifically reversal of amnesia since (a) performance was restored to control levels, but no higher, and (b) sensitization and activity-related artifacts were minimized. These results are consistent with those showing reversal of RA by pre-test administration of hormones or catecholamine agonists. That is, they suggest that amnesia is due to a retrieval deficit rather than to failure of memory storage. Results are discussed in terms of epinephrine-induced modulation of storage and retrieval processes through central and peripheral mechanisms.

• Authors: J T Concannon, M Carr
• Journal: Physiology & behavior (Physiol Behav) Vol. 29 Issue 3 Pg. 443-8 (Sep 1982) ISSN: 0031-9384 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6294696 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thiocarbamates
• Ditiocarb
• Epinephrine

Topics

• Animals
• Conditioning, Classical (drug effects)
• Ditiocarb (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Epinephrine (pharmacology)
• Fear (drug effects)
• Male
• Memory (drug effects)
• Mental Recall (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Thiocarbamates (pharmacology)