Instrumental outcome devaluation is attenuated by the anti-emetic ondansetron

In three experiments we assessed the effect of an anti-emetic, the selective 5-HT antagonist ondansetron, on (1) the conditioning of a taste aversion using lithium chloride (LiCl); (2) the expression of that aversion; and (3) instrumental outcome-devaluation effects. In Experiment 1 it was found that ondansetron reduced the aversion induced by LiCl when administered prior to the LiCl injection and also attenuated the expression of that aversion when administered prior to test sessions. In Experiments 2 and 3, thirsty rats were trained, in a single session, to lever press and chain pull for sucrose and saline solutions concurrently before being injected with LiCl. They were then re-exposed to both solutions, one after injection of vehicle and the other after injection of ondansetron. In a choice extinction test on the levers and chains, animals performed more of the action whose training outcome was re-exposed under ondansetron than the other action, whether the test was conducted after an injection of vehicle or after one of ondansetron.