Effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on delayed matching-to-sample choice speeds in chimpanzees

Abstract

The effects of Δ9-THC on choice response speeds in chimpanzee short-term recognition memory were assessed in a delayed matching-to-sample task. Choice speeds were faster on correct than on incorrect trials and were inversely related to delay length. Although Δ9-THC lowered matching accuracy, it did not affect any aspect of choice speed. These results were interpreted as indicating that the disruption of short-term recognition memory produced by Δ9-THC reflects changes in acquisition-storage processes rather than in memory retrieval processes. © 1973, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.