Two experiments were conducted to test specific predictions of the statedependency hypothesis concerning the effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on learning. Rats received a single fear-conditioning trial followed 24 hr. later by one of the following treatments: noncontingent footshock (NCFS), NCFS and ECS, or just ECS. Modification of fear conditioning by the various treatments was assessed by a drink-latency measure 24 and 96 hr. posttreatment. Experiment 1 demonstrated "amnesia" during the 24-hr, test and recovery of memory during the 96-hr, test by NCFS-ECS subjects. Experiment 2 showed that extinction training presented 24 hr. after NCFS-ECS treatment was not retained when testing occurred 96 hr. after this treatment. Results of both experiments clearly indicated that the combination of footshock and ECS can produce state-dependent learning. These data indicate that experiments that have used procedures involving footshock followed closely by ECS to demonstrate the disruption of memory formation as a consequence of ECS are also subject to a state-dependency interpretation.
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