Abstract
Working memory impairment under narcosis has never been investigated. Furthermore, mechanisms by which narcosis disturbs working memory processes remain relatively unknown. The present work was aimed at answering to these two questions using a well-known normobaric narcotic gas, nitrous oxide (N 2O), and a classical working memory task (a two-trial recognition memory task). Ten Long–Evans rats were tested in this behavioral task under nitrous oxide exposure. The results showed (i) a dose-related impairment of working memory, (ii) a selective effect of N 2O on two out of three mnemonic processes: acquisition, and retention, and (iii) a compensatory effect of increasing the acquisition phase duration on these impairments. These results, as previously suggested for long-term memory, agree with the fact that nitrous oxide disrupts in a dose-related manner working memory by notably slowing down acquisition processes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
