Efecto del extracto de Trichocereus pachanoi sobre la memoria espacial en Rattus norvegicus var. Albinus

Introduction: Hallucinogens or entheogens have been used throughout history for various purposes. Their physiological study is complex due to the fact that they are concoctions prepared with plant extracts, whose ingestion develops variable effects on emotions and learning. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Trichocereus pachanoi extract on spatial memory in Rattus norvegicus var. Albinus. Methods: An increasing stimulus design was developed and four similar groups of five rats were arranged and grouped into Problem I, II and III. They were orally administered the extract at different concentrations. The control group received no treatment to assess spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Results: The rats presented a similar average time to develop latency in the acquisition phase and in the retention phase; both maintained equivalent times. When applying the 10 % and 20 % doses, learning rates varied and showed a slight decrease. With the higher concentration dose (30 %) the acquisition phase latency time decreased more and there was long-term depression. Conclusions: An effect equivalent to depression was presented in the experimental subject, evidenced in the duration of motor behavior in the Morris water maze, through the learning indices.