Scopolamine Effects Under a Titrating-Delayed-Nonmatching-to-Position Procedure. M. Porritt and A. Poling

In a study of working memory, the performance of rats under titrating-delayednonmatching-
to-position (TDNMTP) procedures was examined. Overall accuracy
and the number of trials completed were inversely related to titration value,
whereas the highest delay attained was directly related to titration value. When
given intraperitoneally, scopolamine significantly reduced the highest delay
attained without significantly affecting other performance measures for most
administrations. Subcutaneous administrations significantly reduced all performance
measures, suggesting that, as in most prior studies, the drug’s disruptive
effects were not limited to memory processes. These findings demonstrate the
feasibility of using TDNMTP procedures with rats, but further research is necessary
to determine if such procedures are especially valuable in studying working
memory and drug effects thereon.