This thesis assessed the impacts of acute and chronic phase-shifting on learning
and memory in male and female rats. Previous research has revealed impaired retention
immediately following circadian disruption and on the acquisition of new associations.
However, whether behaviour resumes normality following circadian re-entrainment is
unresolved. Following circadian re-entrainment, retention of pre-phase-shift acquired
associations on Morris water task (MWT) and a visual discrimination task designed on
the 8-arm radial maze were tested. Subsequently, an extradimensional set shift (EDS)
using the 8-arm radial maze was performed. Acute circadian disruption negatively
impacted retention in males and females, but only male rats without running wheels
exhibited impairment following chronic phase-shifting on MWT performance. Retention
on the visual discrimination task was impaired following chronic, but not acute, circadian
disruption. Chronic, but not acute, phase-shifting negatively impacted performance on the
EDS. Generally, phase-shifting produced differential negative impacts on cognitive
function in rats. / xiv, 181 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:ALU.w.uleth.ca/dspace#10133/2590 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Zelinski, Erin L, University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science |
| Contributors | McDonald, Robert J |
| Publisher | Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscience, c2010, Arts and Science, Department of Neuroscience |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Relation | Thesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science) |
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