The Effects of Polarizing Currents on the Consolidation of Learning

The consolidation of an interhemispherically transferred avoidance response was studied. The conditions for consolidation seem to be easily altered by polarizing currents. A pulsating surface-positive current applied to the medial cortex speeds consolidation and, when applied following the disturbance of consolidation by spreading cortical depression or cathodal polarization, restarts the interrupted process. These findings suggest that anodal polarization can augment the conditions required for consolidation, and, when applied following the disturbance of these conditions, can reestablish them. Other experiments suggested that there is a special information holding mechanism mediating recall during the consolidation period that is distinct from the holding mechanism serving as a template for the formation of the permanent retention system. Finally, a new way of estimating the length of the consolidation period has been investigated and the resuIts suggest that the time required for consolidation is longer than that found in other ways.