Antonova 2011

• aim


  if scopolamine affected hippocampul activity in the creation of spatial memory
• sample


  20 healthy male adults w mean age of 28 yrs
• method


  double blind procedure and prtcpts were randomly allocated to one of 2 conditions

  -they were injected w either scopolamine or a placebo 70-90 minutes before taking part in the task

  -the prtcpts were then put into an fMRI where they were scanned while playing the arena task (a VR game)

  -the goal is for prtcpts to navigate their way around an arena with the goal of reaching a pole.

  -after they learn where the pole is, the screen would go black for 30 seconds

  -during this time, they were told to actively rehearse how to get to the pole in the arena

  -prtcpts would have to use their spatial memory to determine the location of the pole

  -prtcpts were trained w a joystick before to ensure comfortability and familiarity w the rules of the game

  -the prtcpts brain activity was measured for six trials

  - the prtcpts returned btwn 3-4 weeks later and redid the test- receiving the opposite treatment to the orginal study
• results


  -found that when prtcpts were injected w scopolamine, they demonstrated a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus compared to when they recieved a placebo
• conclusion


  Acetylcholine could play a key role in the encoding of spatial memories