A LOW-DOSE OF ETHANOL IMPAIRS WORKING-MEMORY IN MICE IN A WIN-SHIFT FORAGING PARADIGM

Using a test of working memory which is not influenced by learning, th e win-shift foraging paradigm, ethanol was found to produce amnesia in mice. This effect was produced by very low doses of ethanol, 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg, which did not alter motivation as measured by latency to lea ve the start box. These doses of ethanol also did not alter performanc e in the maze as measured by the time to traverse the maze. These data indicate that low doses of ethanol directly impair working memory-tha t is, the effects are not due to an alteration in learning. The win-sh ift foraging paradigm, which is free of some of the problems inherent in passive avoidance paradigms, may be useful in exploring the mechani sm of this effect of ethanol.