DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS OF PRETRAINING INACTIVATION OF THE RIGHT OR LEFTAMYGDALA ON RETENTION OF INHIBITORY AVOIDANCE TRAINING

Rats with bilateral cannulas aimed at the amygdatae received bilateral infusions of either buffer or lidocaine hydrochloride, or unilateral infusions of each, 5 min before continuous multiple-trial inhibitory a voidance (CMIA) training. Retention was tested 48 hr later. Some of th e rats were retrained at this time and tested again 48 hr later. Bilat eral infusions of lidocaine prior to the initial training impaired acq uisition, retention, and relearning of the CMIA task. Unilateral infus ions of lidocaine into the right or left amygdala did not affect acqui sition. Rats given lidocaine into the right amygdala were impaired on retention 48 hr later. The findings are consistent with others indicat ing involvement of the amygdalae in acquisition and consolidation of a versively motivated learning and suggest possible differential involve ment of the right and left amygdalae in memory consolidation.