Effect of Bilateral Spreading Depression and Scopolamine on Motor Activity in Rats

Rats ( N = 40) were surgically prepared to receive bilateral cortical spreading depression. Approximately 24 hr. postoperatively their level of motor activity was measured after administration of scopolamine or saline in the presence or absence of spreading depression (2 × 2 design). Although the data seemed to reflect a slight activating effect of scopolamine, they clearly indicated a significant depressant effect of spreading depression on motor activity which suggests that spreading depression may impair learning tasks by reducing motor activity.