Chlordiazepoxide Effects on Learning Ability of Euthrophic and Marasmic Rats

Abstract

The objective of this research is to demonstrate that emotion plays a role in learning of the undernourished rat. In other words, the high anxiety level of undernourished subjects acts negatively upon problem solving in different learning situations. Marasmus was induced in rats by increasing the litter size from birth until weaning. The reactivity and anxiety state of rats was modified using tranquilizer, chlordiazepoxide, 5 mg/kg body wt ip, administered 30 min before each test. Their response was evaluated in a Hebb-Williams maze.

The control group, well nourished rats receiving injections of 9% NaCl committed 107 ± 22.7 errors in the 12 problems of the Hebb-Williams maze. This group showed the best performance. The well nourished group treated with chlordiazepoxide had a total error score of 196.9 ± 42.2. The marasmic group receiving 9% NaCl injections committed 196.9 ± 55.9 errors, and the marasmic group with chlordiazepoxide, 148.56 ± 33.4 errors. Variance analysis gives an F = 8.68 which is significant (P < 0.01). This result supported the hypothesis pointed out by Levitzky-Barnes that high anxiety level of undernourished subjects acts negatively upon problem solving. The marasmic group that received chlordiazepoxide injections committed less errors than the marasmic subjects injected with 9% NaCl. This difference was significant at a level of P < 0.01.

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