Passive-Avoidance Learning in Mice following Methamphetamine or Nembutal Injection during Inescapable Exposure to Shock

Abstract

Following injection of methamphetamine, nembutal or saline, 24 hybrid mice were given 10 inescapable 2-sec. shocks. 22 hr. after initial training Ss were tested on a passive-avoidance task. This task was not acquired as readily by methamphetamine Ss as by Ss treated with nembutal or saline. Results were interpreted to indicate that prior shock-exposure results in the acquisition of a freezing response which subsequently facilitates passive-avoidance responding.