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Memory for time of training modulates performance on a place conditioning task in marmosets
V S Valentinuzzi1, S P D Neto, B T S Carneiro
1Departamento de Fisiologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Norte, RN, Brazil. vvalentinuzzi@crilar-conicet.com.ar
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|October 2, 2007
Summary
Marmosets exhibit "time memory," preferring contexts learned at specific times. This circadian-regulated reward learning generalizes across mammals, suggesting shared mechanisms for craving in humans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Chronobiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Reward-conditioned place preference (CPP) in rodents shows circadian regulation, with expression tied to training time.
- This time-dependent learning in rodents relies on internal circadian rhythms, not explicit external time cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if
- time memory
- circadian context conditioning, and reward learning are present in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).
- To determine if time of day learning generalizes to non-human primates.
Main Methods:
- Marmosets underwent context conditioning, learning to discriminate between paired and unpaired contexts associated with food reward at a specific circadian time.
- Preference was assessed at circadian times matching and differing from the training time.
Main Results:
- Marmosets demonstrated a significant place preference only when tested at the same circadian time as their training.
- Preference was absent when testing occurred at circadian times different from training.
Conclusions:
- The common marmoset exhibits time-dependent learning and memory, similar to rodents.
- This suggests that circadian mechanisms regulating reward-related behaviors, including craving, may be conserved across diverse mammalian species, potentially including humans.
