The effects of cholinergic agents upon fixated behavior

A group of male albino rats were subjected to the Maier paradigm (insoluble problem followed by a soluble problem) using the Lashley jumping stand. Forty-two animals which failed the soluble problem by adopting a position stereotype were then randomly assigned to eight drug groups in a 2×2 design. Animals were guided to the correct window on odd days but received no guidance on even days. Animals received either pilocarpine nitrate (5.0 mg/kg) or scopolamine hydrobromide (1.0 mg/kg) in one of three different sequences. These sequences included drug on both odd and even days (drug-drug), only on the odd day (drug-no drug), or only on the even day (no drug-drug). One other drug group received scopolamine methylbromide (1.0 mg/kg) in a drug-no drug sequence, while the control group received saline on both days.