Between-systems memory interference model: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:06, 9 February 2016

Revision as of 17:13, 5 November 2016

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The procedure utilised in supporting the between-systems memory interference model was published under the title ''Between-systems memory interference during retrieval''. Their paper explains how using the age-tested [[Fear conditioning|contextual fear conditioning]] paradigm allowed Fraser Sparks, Hugo Lehmann, and Robert Sutherland <ref>{{cite journal|last=Sparks|first=Fraser|author2=Lehmann H.|author3=Sutherland R.J.|title=Between-systems memory interference during retrieval|journal=European Journal of Neuroscience|year=2011|issue=36|pages=780–786|doi=10.1111/j.1460-9568.2011.07796.x|volume=34}}</ref> to further investigate their model. They began by allowing their rat subjects to freely explore the [[Operant conditioning chamber|conditioning chamber]] for three minutes, enabling them to become [[Habituation|habituated]]. Afterwards, five 1 miliAmp foot shocks lasting 2 seconds were administered with 60 seconds in between each shock. Retention of this memory was tested 11 days after the learning trials, where [[Freezing behavior|freezing behaviour]] was measured using [http://www.coulbourn.com/SearchResults.asp?searching=Y&sort=7&search=freezeframe&show=50&page=1 FreezeFrame Video-Based Conditioned Fear System].

Using this paradigm, the rats were [[Bilateral symmetry|bilaterally]] injected with either [[muscimol]] or [[Physiological saline|sterile physiological saline]] depending on if they were in the experimental or control condition respectively. These total hemispheric infusions were administered one hour before the [[Conditioning|conditioning trials]], additionally immediately before the testing trials, allowing 30 minutes total between the end of infusion and behavioural conditioning or testing.

With this, the researchers were left with multiple experiments. In experiment 1A, the [[hippocampus]] of the rats were permanently damaged after the fear conditioning trial, while in experiment 1B, the hippocampus of the rats were [[lesion]]ed before the [[fear conditioning]] trial. They found that rats receiving damage after conditioning demonstrated less [[Freezing behavior|freezing]] than control rats, whereas rats who received damaged before the conditioning trial did not differ in their freezing habits than the control rats. These results suggest that damage to the hippocampus causes [[Retrograde amnesia|retrograde]], but not [[anterograde amnesia]].