Effects of AZT, ddC, and d4T on Memory in Male and Female Rats

摘要

Some anti-HIV medications exert behavioral and neurotoxic side effects that deleteriously affect quality of life. The present research examined the effects of three anti-HIV medications -- AZT, ddC, dd4T - on memory in Sprague-Dawley male and female rats. Memory was chosen as the dependent variable because it is an important psychological construct, its profound effects on quality of life, and its relationship to medication compliance. Three experiments used retention of the active evidence shuttlebox performance as an index of memory. Experiment 1 (N-60) found that males closed with medication performed significant slower (i.e. demonstrating impaired memory function) than females. Females dosed with AZT or ddC performed significantly faster on the second day, compared to the first day, of testing.