Drug Effects and Learning and Memory Processes

Modulation of Learning and Memory: Effects of Drugs Influencing Neurotransmitters

“…While this effect has been demonstrated primarily in experiments using a variety of active-avoidance tasks (Seiden and Hanson, 1964;Hanson, 1965;Rech et al, 1966), similar effects have been reported for passive avoidance and appetitive instrumental or runway approach tasks (Carlson et al, 1965;Iwahara et al, 1968). More extensive reviews of these findings are available elsewhere (Herz, 1960;Dews and Morse, 1961;Essman, 1971;Seiden et al, 1973).…”

“…Several experiments have failed to observe any effects of CPZ (White and Subowski, 1969), reserpine (Essman, 1971), or a-MPT (Ahlenius, 1973;Sa per and Sweeney, 1973) on the retention of a variety of learned responses. However, the effects of antiadrenergic agents on memory may be particularly sensitive to the interval between drug administration and training.…”

“…There are several general reviews of the effects of many of these agents on learning and memory processes (Herz, 1960;McGaugh and Petrinovich, 1965;Essman, 1971;Jarvik, 1972;Dawson and McGaugh, 1973;McGaugh, 1973).…”

Some Considerations of Different Modes of Action of Nootropic Drugs

“…The same con clusion seems to be true for other cholinergics too (e.g. oxotremorine, physostigmine, eserine) [Essman, 1971;Introini et al. 1984], The direction of the effect of cholin ergic drugs (impaired or enhanced performance) seems to be strongly dependent on dosage and the kind of task [Gold and Zornetzer, 1983;Warburton and Wesnes.…”

“…Thus, amphetamines may follow to a time of application-relearning perfor mance function as shown in figure 4. There is also some evidence for the facilitative effects of amphetamines when given posttrial [Essman, 1971;McGaugh. 1973] and this is also suggested, although to a minor extent, in figure 4.…”