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Within-session repeated acquisition behavior in rats as a potential model of executive function
Harlan E Shannon1, Patrick L Love
1The Lilly Research Laboratories, Neuroscience Division, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States. H.Shannon@Lilly.com
European Journal of Pharmacology
|September 15, 2004
Summary
This study introduces a novel rat model for executive function, using operant conditioning to test cognitive flexibility. Certain drugs impaired performance, suggesting this model
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Executive functions are crucial cognitive processes.
- These functions are often impaired in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rat model for studying executive function.
- To assess the impact of specific drugs on this executive function model.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained in a three-lever operant chamber to learn and adapt to changing response sequences.
- Performance was evaluated after administration of phencyclidine, MK-801, apomorphine, scopolamine, and triazolam.
Main Results:
- Rats successfully acquired and adapted to the changing response sequences.
- Phencyclidine, MK-801, scopolamine, and triazolam dose-dependently impaired sequence completion and increased errors.
- Apomorphine did not significantly affect error rates.
Conclusions:
- Within-session repeated acquisition of response sequences is a viable model for studying executive function in rats.
- This model can differentiate the effects of various psychoactive drugs on cognitive processes.
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