State-Dependent Learning (SDL) occurs when a response learned in a particular
drug stste does not transfer to another
drug state. SDL was demonstrated and disrupted in a modified T-maxe escape learning task, using male hooded rats. SDL groups were trained each day in one
drug state (either
Librium, 40 mg/kg or sterile water) and then given non-
shock test trials in both
drug states. SDL Ss showed
drug-dependent retention since they turned randomly in opposite-state test trials and significantly above random level (P greather than 0.02) when in the training
drug state. For the Transfer Ss, 1k Hz tone was simultaneously paired with foot
shock in training and continued to be sounded on every non-
shock test trial. Transfer Ss turned in the training direction regardless of
drug state.
Drug-dependence in the SDL groups and transfer in the Transfer groups were also demonstrated in response latencies. The tones were emotional memory prompters initiating some process that mediated transfer between
drug states. The theoretical importance of these results were discussed in relation to energizing and directing functions of emotions and symmetrical and asymmetrical transfer.