| Abstract: | Offspring derived from Sprague-Dawley dams that received daily sc injection of 40 mg/kg 3 cc–2 cocaine hydrochloride (C40) or saline (LC) from Gestational Days 8–20 were tested for first-order Pavlovian conditioning and sensory preconditioning at Postnatal Days 8 (P8), P12, and P21. Although C40 dams gained significantly less weight than LC dams, pup body weights did not differ between the 2 groups. Significant sensory preconditioning was obtained at P8 and P12 (but not at P21) in LC offspring, confirming previous reports (e.g., L. P. Spear et al; see record 1989-35900-001) of decline in performance in this task during ontogeny. In contrast, C40 offspring failed to exhibit sensory preconditioning at any test age. In addition, C40 pups tested at P8 did not display significant first-order conditioning. Taken together these results suggest a more general deficit in cognitive functioning rather than a delay in cognitive development in prenatally cocaine-exposed offspring. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
