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Bidirectional Modulation of Spatial Working Memory by Ethanol
Author(s) -
Rossetti Zvani L.,
Carboni Sonia,
Stancampiano Roberto,
Sori Pierpaolo,
Pepeu Giancarlo,
Fadda Fabio
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2002.tb02523.x
Subject(s) - working memory , excitatory postsynaptic potential , ethanol , prefrontal cortex , cognition , psychology , neuroscience , audiology , spatial memory , medicine , chemistry , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , biochemistry
Background: It is common knowledge that ethanol causes cognitive and memory impairments. Although these deficits are attributed to its central depressant properties, ethanol has biphasic effects and at low doses can produce excitatory actions. Methods: Here we examined whether ethanol could have biphasic effects on performance in a delayed alternation task in a T‐maze, a behavioral test of working memory. Results: A dose‐response study showed that intermediate doses of ethanol (1 g/kg) were associated with impairments of working memory in rats, as assessed at short intertrial intervals (10 sec). In contrast, at longer delays (120 sec), when the delayed alternation performance was reduced markedly in controls, a lower dose of ethanol (0.5 g/kg) significantly improved working memory. Conclusions: These results demonstrate a dose‐dependent, bidirectional effect of ethanol on working memory and implicate the prefrontal cortex, the site of working memory function, as a target of ethanol action. The cognitive improvements caused by low, excitatory doses of ethanol may be perceived as rewarding and could have relevance for chronic ethanol consumption in humans.