The effect of proactive electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on the Kamin effect

Abstract

Three groups of 30 rats were given a series of ECSs, pseudoECSs, or no treatment prior to training to a criterion of three avoidance responses. Ten animals in each group were tested for retention by retraining after 0, I, or 24 h. Results indicated that ECS facilitated original learning and prevented the decrement in retention at the I-h interval, the Kamin effect, shown by the pseudoECS and no-treatment groups. The effects of proactive ECS treatments are similar to those obtained with d-amphetamine and scopolamine. The results were interpreted as supporting a cholinergic basis for the Kamin effect.