Twenty-four-hour proactive facilitation of avoidance and discrimination learning in rats by d-amphetamine.

Abstract

Considers that previous studies of facilitation of learning by posttrial injections of analeptic drugs have not allowed for the possibility of a 24-hr proactive effect of the drug. 2 experiments with male long-evans rats were conducted to determine if 1 of these drugs given 24 hr. Prior to training would facilitate acquisition. In exp. I, 66 ss were given daily injections of saline or 2 mg/kg d-amphetamine for 2, 5, or 10 days and trained on a shuttle-box avoidance task 24 hr. After the last injection. In exp. Ii, 44 ss received daily injections of saline or 2 mg/kg d-amphetamine for 5 or 10 days and were trained in a brightness discrimination 24 hr. After the last injection. Results indicate that ss receiving 5 or 10 drug injections acquired the tasks at a faster rate than those receiving saline. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance for posttrial drug facilitation of learning studies with d-amphetamine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)