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The anterior claustrum and spatial reversal learning in rats
1Discipline of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Brain Research
|January 16, 2013
Summary
The claustrum, a basal forebrain structure, is crucial for behavioral flexibility. Lesioned rats showed impaired reversal learning, suggesting the claustrum coordinates cortical activity for adaptive responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- The claustrum's function is poorly understood despite extensive cortical connections.
- It is hypothesized to coordinate cerebral cortex activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the claustrum's role in behavioral flexibility and cortical coordination.
- To assess the impact of anterior claustrum lesions on specific cognitive tasks in rats.
Main Methods:
- Excitotoxic lesions were made in the anterior claustrum of rats.
- Lesioned and control rats were tested on reversal learning, spatial working memory (water maze), and latent inhibition (conditioned taste aversion).
Main Results:
- Rats with claustrum lesions were impaired in acquiring a switched platform location during reversal learning.
- Lesioned rats showed increased perseverance errors during reversal learning.
- No significant impairments were observed in spatial working memory or latent inhibition tasks.
Conclusions:
- Cell loss in the claustrum leads to deficits in behavioral flexibility.
- These findings support theories suggesting the claustrum coordinates information for cortical-dependent tasks.
- The claustrum appears critical for adapting behavior to changing environmental contingencies.
