Psychology
Can BDNF Administered to the Medial-Prefrontal Cortex of Cocaine Habituated Rats Facilitate a Return to Goal-Directed Behavior?
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Psychology
Start Date
11-4-2014 2:30 PM
End Date
11-4-2014 4:30 PM
Sponsor
Neil Schmitzer-Torbert (Wabash College)
Description
Recent studies by our lab demonstrated in rats that post-training administration of cocaine can facilitate the development of habitual behaviors in a lever pressing task, and that lesions of the infralimbic cortex block this effect. The present study tested the effectiveness of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to reverse the facilitation of habit learning by cocaine. Eight rats were implanted with guide cannula targeting the medial prefrontal cortex and then trained to press two levers in separate sessions, with each lever reinforced with a separate reward. After each training session, rats received systemic injections of cocaine to facilitate habit learning. After training, rats were given a single infusion of BDNF into the medial prefrontal cortex before a training session for one lever. No cocaine was given in this session. Rats then underwent a taste aversion procedure over three days to devalue one of the rewards. Extinction tests following devaluation were used to assess if lever pressing was habitual or goal-directed for the BDNF-paired and control action. Data collection is ongoing, and we expect that BDNF will rescue goal-directed behavior for the cocaine-paired action, while the control action will be habitual.
Can BDNF Administered to the Medial-Prefrontal Cortex of Cocaine Habituated Rats Facilitate a Return to Goal-Directed Behavior?
Indianapolis, IN
Recent studies by our lab demonstrated in rats that post-training administration of cocaine can facilitate the development of habitual behaviors in a lever pressing task, and that lesions of the infralimbic cortex block this effect. The present study tested the effectiveness of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to reverse the facilitation of habit learning by cocaine. Eight rats were implanted with guide cannula targeting the medial prefrontal cortex and then trained to press two levers in separate sessions, with each lever reinforced with a separate reward. After each training session, rats received systemic injections of cocaine to facilitate habit learning. After training, rats were given a single infusion of BDNF into the medial prefrontal cortex before a training session for one lever. No cocaine was given in this session. Rats then underwent a taste aversion procedure over three days to devalue one of the rewards. Extinction tests following devaluation were used to assess if lever pressing was habitual or goal-directed for the BDNF-paired and control action. Data collection is ongoing, and we expect that BDNF will rescue goal-directed behavior for the cocaine-paired action, while the control action will be habitual.