Beeinflussung des Lernverhaltens durch Chlordiazepoxid bei Tauben

1.Pigeons learn to make binary decisions in a “Skinnerbox”, both singly and in sequence. The effect of Chlordiazepoxide on various aspects of learning ability is tested. The effect of pentobarbital is compared.2.In experiment I retention is tested. The reproduction of a triple binary sequence is not affected by 20 mg/kg of Chlordiazepoxide; on the other hand, 10 mg/kg of pentobarbital and 50 mg/kg of Chlordiazepoxide produce a clear deterioration in ability.3.Chlordiazepoxide (20 mg/kg) as well as pentobarbital (10 mg/kg) diminishes acquisition of new behavior as determined in experiment II, i. e. the reversal of a learned binary decision. In addition, Chlordiazepoxide but not pentobarbital decreases negative transfer and enables better work in the following reversal learning. Both effects are reversible.4.These actions of chlordiazepoxide in pigeons are interpreted as due to an influence upon recent memory function. The similarity of the effect of Chlordiazepoxide to the result of bilateral hippocampal lesions is pointed out.