Date of Award

8-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Psychology

Department

Psychology

Major Professor

Daniel, Jill

Second Advisor

La Hoste, Gerald

Third Advisor

King, Bruce M.

Abstract

The current study compared the impact of different paradigms of estradiol replacement on working memory performance. In adult ovariectomized rats, a vehicle-treated control group (n=10) was compared to three estradiol replacement paradigms: 1) continuous delivery via Silastic capsules (n=8); 2) cyclic replacement via two 10 ìg injections on two out of every four days (n=10); 3) cyclic replacement via one 2 ìg injection every four days (n=10). While treatment continued, animals were tested over 24 days in the 8-arm radial maze. After this acquisition period, various delay times were introduced between 4th and 5th arm choices. Treatments had no effects during acquisition or delay trials of 1 min, 10 min, and 3 hours. However, when a 5-hour delay was imposed, rats receiving estradiol via implants outperformed all other groups. These results indicate that long-term continuous estradiol replacement is more effective in enhancing working memory performance than the tested cyclic paradigms.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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