EFFECT OF ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCK - PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY RETROGRADE AMNESIA

75 rats were tested in a 1 trial step-down situation to test the permanence of ECS-produced amnesia. Results indicate that recovery from amnesia is slight, labile, and easily extinguished. Within the group that received footshock followed by ECS, some Ss initially avoided as well as controls; however, these Ss quickly extinguished on later trials. The pattern of results suggested that ECS had its effect not solely upon memory storage but also upon retrieval. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.