Tests of learning and memory with Cylert

Summary

The effect of Cylert (pemoline with magnesium hydroxide) on learning and memory was tested by means of three different experimental procedures. Twenty-four student volunteers served as Ss on repeated occasions, receiving orally either a 25 mgm dose of this drug or a lactose placebo, at the beginning of the experimental session and the alternate treatment two hours later, or placebo on both occasions.

New learning of a push-button maze, of a difficult narrative text, and of a series of simple figure drawings showed no improvement attributable to Cylert, neither was incidental learning or the rate of forgetting of the texts over periods of 75 min and one week affected by the drug. Relearning of the maze required fewer trials shortly after medication with Cylert than it did under the alternate treatments, and also made for better retention of the pattern over a week. This effect was attributed to a general stimulant or anti-fatigue effect of Cylert.