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Impairment of Latent Learning in the Rat by a Marihuana Component

Abstract

NUMEROUS studies in both humans1–3 and animals4 indicate that marihuana and its chief psychoactive constituent, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), may have disruptive effects on short term memory. It has been suggested, however, that the memory-disrupting qualities of marihuana in humans may actually be incidental to its effect on normal attentional processes5. Furthermore, interpretation of animal investigations in terms of drug-induced memory disruption may be difficult as Δ9-THC may alter appetitive motivation6. So it is unclear whether performance deficits are a consequence of impaired memory, attention, or motivation.

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MILLER, L., DREW, W. Impairment of Latent Learning in the Rat by a Marihuana Component. Nature 243, 473–474 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/243473a0

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