LEARNING AND MEMORY EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID IN ALBINO MICE USING SPATIAL LEARNING TEST AND PASSIVE AVOIDANCE TEST

ABSTRACT: People with good working memory are more self-confident and positive than those who are not (Alloway, 2000). Ascorbic acid has a good potential in improving and enhancing memory. The study aims to determine the effects of Ascorbic acid in learning and memory of mice using spatial learning and passive avoidance tests. Twenty four mice were grouped equally into four, group 1 being the control administered with NSS, group 2 those administered with 60 mg/kg BW of Ascorbic acid, group 3 those administered with 90 mg/kg BW, and finally group 4 are those administered with 120 mg/kg BW of ascorbic acid. These groups were subjected to six trials of spatial learning tests and after which, another 6 trials of passive avoidance test. The data was analyzed using independent T-test and one way ANOVA. The data gathered showed that there was improved learning and memory to the groups administered with Vitamin C as compared with the control group. Administration of different dosages on the other hand did not provide a significant change in results. Through these methods of analysis, the researchers conclude that Vitamin C indeed has an effect in learning and memory of mice and that increasing the dosage does not affect its efficacy.

Department of Pharmacology