This research investigates the effect of positive and negative air ionization on the memorization of a single-trial passive avoidance response. The subjects were 20 male albino rats. They were randomly assigned to one of the three environmental conditions, that is, positive, negative, and no ionization. Memorization was tested by the improved single-trial inhibitory avoidance step-through task. The results indicate that positive air ionization impairs short- and long-term memory. The effects of negative air ionization are more complicated; a probably favourable effect on memory of inhibitory avoidance response, may be masked by a simultaneous increase of spontaneous activity.
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