Specific and permanent deficits in instrumental avoidance responding following forebrain ablation in the goldfish.

Abstract

Thirty-nine goldfish, either normal, sham operated, or forebrain ablated, were tested in the acquisition, extinction, and retention of an instrumental avoidance response with either a short or long delay between operations and testing. Forebrain removal severaly impaired or prevented acquisition, greatly reduced resistance to extinction, and completely abolished a previously learned response. The deficits were permanent[long dash]an 8-wk. delay between operations and testing did not result in improved performances. Median escape latencies did not differ between groups, indicating that the deficit is specific to avoidance learning.