Rat spatial memory: Both working and reference memory are resistant to retroactive interference

Abstract

Previous studies of the spatial working memory (WM) of rats trained in radial mazes indicate that WM is highly resistant to retroactive interference (RI). In the present experiment, a procedure that permitted simultaneous assessment of WM and reference memory (RM) was used to train rats in an eight-arm radial maze. Interpolation of testing on a second radial maze during a brief delay increased both WM and RM error rates, albeit modestly. But when the rats were subsequently trained on two interpolated mazes during the retention interval, no increase in WM or RM error rates was seen. In the radial maze, both RM and WM are relatively resistant to RI. © 1985, The psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.