EFFECTS OF GABA ANTAGONISTS ON INHIBITORY AVOIDANCE

Experimental data indicate that GABA is involved in memory processes. However there are marked inconsistencies in the reported effects of in terference with GABA synaptic activity on memory consolidation of aver sively-motivated tasks. Both amnesia and improvement of performance ha ve been reported after treatment with GABA antagonists. These contradi ctory effects could be explained by procedural differences in training . To test for this possibility rats were trained in passive avoidance using two levels of footshock and injected with a wide range of doses of picrotoxin and bicuculline. Picrotoxin did not modify the condition ed response while bicuculline induced amnesia only with the lower dose s at both low and high footshock intensities. It was concluded that GA BA is involved in memory consolidation, and that the conflicting resul ts in the literature are indeed due, in part, to procedural difference s, and also to the mode of action of these drugs.