WITHIN-SUBJECT DECLINE IN DELAYED-NON-MATCH-TO-SAMPLE RADIAL-ARM MAZEPERFORMANCE IN AGING SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

A within-subject design was used to examine delayed-non-match-to-sampl e radial arm maze performance in aging (6-18 months) male Sprague-Dawl ey rats. A decrease in correct choices and an increase in retroactive errors were observed at all retention intervals at 18 months of age co mpared with performance at 6 or 12 months. No age by retention interva l interaction was observed. Neither age nor increasing retention inter val influenced proactive errors during the retention test. The observa tion of an age- and delay-dependent increase in retroactive errors, bu t not proactive errors, suggests that the deficit relates to a memory dysfunction as opposed to a generalized performance deficit.