L-dopa enhances acquisition of an inhibitory avoidance response
Martinez, J.L.; Vasquez, B.J.; Jensen, R.A.; McGaugh, J.L.
Communications in Psychopharmacology 4(3): 215-218
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5699 PMID: 7226753 Document Number: 164964
This experiment examined the effects of L-dopa on retention of an inhibitory avoidance response in rats. L-Dopa (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg, per os) was administered either 2, 1 or 0.5 h before training or immediately after training. The animals were given a retention test 72 h later. A 250 mg/kg dose of L-dopa administered either 1.0 or 0.5 h before training significantly enhanced acquisition of the inhibitory avoidance response. No dose of L-dopa affected retention performance if given immediately after training. The drug apparently acts by influencing either sensory, motivational or attentional variables.