Effect of Level of External Stimulation on Rate of Learning and Interaction of this Effect with Strychnine Treatment in Mice

Abstract

In these studies an attempt was made to test for disruption of learning by general external stimulation delivered after training. In addition, in Exp. I only, strychnine sulphate was tested for effects on learning and for a possible interaction with stimulation treatment. Mice were trained on a spatial discrimination task, and stimulation was delivered after each day's block of trials. The general findings were that stimulation as tested did not disrupt learning. A facilitative effect of strychnine was obtained, but only when the stimulation was low. These were discussed in terms of perseveration-consolidation theory and of previous studies in which no facilitative effects of strychnine were obtained.