Dissociable and Paradoxical Roles of Rat Medial and Lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex in Visual Serial Reversal Learning
M E Hervig1,2,3,4, L Fiddian1,2, L Piilgaard1,2
1Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 26, 2019
Summary
The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) have opposing roles in reversal learning. mOFC inactivation improved performance, while lOFC inactivation impaired it, particularly during early learning phases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Reversal learning is crucial for adapting behavior to changing environments.
- The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is implicated in reversal learning, but its medial (mOFC) and lateral (lOFC) subdivisions' specific roles are unclear.
- Understanding OFC subregion function is key to deciphering cortico-striatal circuitry in decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential roles of mOFC and lOFC in a deterministic visual reversal learning task in rats.
- To compare the effects of OFC inactivation with other brain regions like the prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IL) prefrontal cortex, and basolateral amygdala (BLA).
Main Methods:
- Pharmacological inactivation of specific OFC subregions (mOFC, lOFC) and other brain areas (PrL, IL, BLA) in rats.
- Assessment of performance on a deterministic serial visual reversal learning task.
- Analysis of effects on perseveration, negative feedback sensitivity, and novel discrimination learning.
Main Results:
- Inactivation of lOFC impaired reversal learning, specifically increasing perseveration, while mOFC inactivation improved it.
- mOFC inactivation enhanced sensitivity to negative feedback, whereas lOFC inactivation reduced it.
- lOFC inactivation paradoxically improved novel visual discrimination learning, while mOFC inactivation had no effect.
- OFC inactivation primarily affected perseveration, contrasting with IL/PrL inactivation which improved overall learning.
- BLA inactivation did not impact perseveration but improved later stages of reversal learning.
Conclusions:
- The rodent mOFC and lOFC exhibit opponent roles in deterministic visual reversal learning.
- Differential roles of OFC subregions extend to feedback sensitivity and novel learning.
- These findings highlight the functional heterogeneity within the OFC and its distinct contributions to adaptive behavior.
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