Abstract
The relationship of body temperature to the onset, and the subsequent alleviation, of hypothermia-induced retrograde amnesia (RA) was investigated. In Experiment 1, the retention of a passive avoidance task and the body temperature at the time of testing were assessed at intervals of 4, 8, 12, and 16 h after training/amnesic treatment. While retention was evident for up to 12 h posthypothermia treatment, it was clear that body temperature did not index magnitude of RA. A second experiment examined the alleviation of hypothermia-induced RA as a function of body temperature and retention interval. Memory recovery was facilitated at both 1- and 7-day intervals when testing occurred at 29°-31°C but not at 33°–35°C. The possibility of different mechanisms underlying retention after hypothermia and retrieval after recooling was suggested. An alternative explanation in terms of contextual cues and cue utilization was also discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Campbell, B. A., & Teghtsoonian, R. Electrical and behavioral effects of different types of shock stimuli on the rat. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1958, 51, 185–192.
Duncan, C. P. The retroactive effect of electroshock on learning. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1949, 42, 32–44.
Geller, A., & Jarvik, M. E. The time relations of ECS induced amnesia. Psychonomic Science, 1968, 12, 169–170.
Glickman, S. E. Perseverative neural processes and consolidation of the memory trace. Psychological Bulletin, 1961, 58, 218–233.
Hinderliter, C. F., Webster, T., & Riccio, D. C. Amnesia induced by hypothermia as a function of treatment-test interval and recooling in rats. Animal Learning & Behavior, 1975, 3, 257–263.
Lewis, D. L. Sources of experimental amnesia. Psychological Review, 1969, 76, 461–472.
Lewis, D. J. A cognitive approach to experimental amnesia. American Journal of Psychology, 1976, 89, 51–80.
McGaugh, J. L. Time-dependent processes in memory storage. Science, 1966, 153, 1351–1358.
McGaugh, J. L., & Dawson, R. G. Modification of memory storage processes. Behavioral Science, 1971, 16, 45–63.
McGaugh, J. L., & Landfield, P. W. Delayed development of amnesia following electroconvulsive shock. Physiology and Behavior, 1970, 5, 1109–1113.
Miller, R. R., & Springer, A. D. Temporal course of amnesia in rats after electroconvulsive shock. Physiology and Behavior, 1971, 6, 229–233.
Miller, R. R., & Springer, A. D. Induced recovery of memory in rats following electroconvulsive shock. Physiology and Behavior, 1972, 8, 645–651.
Miller, R. R., & Springer, A. D. Amnesia, consolidation, and retrieval. Psychological Review, 1973, 80, 69–79.
Misanin, J. R., Nagy, M., Keiser, E. F., & Bowen, W. Emergence of long-term memory in the neonatal rat. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1971, 77, 188–199.
Riccio, D. C., & Stikes, E. R. Persistent but modifiable retrograde amnesia produced by hypothermia. Physiology and Behavior, 1969, 4, 649–652.
Spear, N. E. Retrieval of memory in animals. Psychological Review, 1973, 80, 163–194.
Tulving, E. Cue-dependent forgetting. American Scientist, 1974, 62, 74–82.
Wetsel, W. C., Riccio, D. C., & Hinderliter, C. F. Effects of artificial rewarming upon hypothermia-induced retrograde amnesia. Physiological Psychology, 1976, 4, 201–206.
Zerbolio, D. J., Jr. Retrograde amnesia: The first post-trial hour. Communications in Behavioral Biology, 1971, 6, 25–29.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This paper is based on a thesis submitted by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master’s degree at Kent State University. This investigation was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH30223-01 to the second author. We acknowledge the constructive comments of Drs. B. H. Newberry, F. R. Treichler, and J. S. Myer.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mactutus, C.F., Riccio, D.C. Hypothermia-induced retrograde amnesia: Role of body temperature in memory retrieval. Psychobiology 6, 18–22 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326685
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326685