[Analysis of passive avoidance learning in a modified three-compartment setup].

Passive avoidance conditioning is analyzed in a three-compartment apparatus comprising the central light compartment, the dark dangerous compartment in which the electric foot shock was delivered, and the dark safe compartment where the rats were not punished. The passive avoidance performance was characterized, in addition to the latent period duration, by the number of visits into the safe compartment. The experimental data indicate that the latency of the passive avoidance response and the safe compartment preference obey different laws. The latency depends linearly on the number of shocks, while neither the safe compartment preference nor its relation to the number of shocks was observed. Piracetam had no effect on the latency, but enhanced the number of visits into the safe compartment. It is concluded that this modified model may be useful in an analysis of nootropic effects of neuropsychotropic substances.