A comparison of methylphenidate induced active avoidance and water maze performance facilitation

Abstract

Methylphenidate was shown to facilitate both active avoidance and water performance compared to controls. Repetitive errors on both tasks were greater in the drug than the nondrug group and were positively correlated to water maze performance. These results fail to support the view that water maze acquisition is less influenced by performance variables than active avoidance. An unanticipated enhancement of water maze performance was also noted in the control group which had been previously tested on active avoidance compared with naive controls. Moreover, this group made fewer repetitive errors than naive controls, suggesting that previous shock exposure reduced inappropriate responses.