Factors underlying deficient passive-avoidance behavior by rats with septal lesions.

Analyzed passive-avoidance behavior in male Holtzman rats (N = 83) with septal lesions in 5 experiments. Results reveal 2 independent sources of the deficit in retention of passive-avoidance responding. One factor, increased responsiveness to positive reinforcement, caused a persistent deficit in passive-avoidance retention which could not be alleviated by previous training on a different passive-avoidance task. A 2nd factor, described as a temporary defect in response inhibition, produced a transient deficit in passive-avoidance retention which could be alleviated by prior training on another passive-avoidance task or continued testing on the same task. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)