Madison R Carr, Yvar van Mourik, Paula Gómez-Sotres, Marcello Solinas, Taco J de Vries, Tommy Pattij
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Modelling delay discounting behavior in rodents is important for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive control and associated impulsivity disorders. Conventional rodent delay discounting procedures require extensive training and frequent experimenter interaction, as rodents are tested in separate operant chambers away from their home cage. To address these limitations, we adapted and characterize here a self-adjusting delay discounting procedure to an automated CombiCage setup. Rodents were trained during the most active phase of the light-dark cycle, completing 120 trials daily. During each session, we measured large reward preference, mean adjusted delay, and trial participation across multiple delays. Results showed that rodents exhibited discounting behavior after two weeks, with performance stability increasing at 7 weeks training with delay. We also evaluated the influence of altering the consecutive choice criteria (ccc), number of trial choices for a delay step to adjust up or down. Lower ccc (3 vs 8) increased both the number of delay steps encountered per session and task participation. Additionally, we examined the effects of pharmacological interventions, including the psychostimulant amphetamine and the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390. A high dose amphetamine reduced preference for large immediate and short delayed rewards and decreased the mean adjusted delay in a non-dose dependent manner, while SCH23390 did not affect task performance. Together, this novel automated self-adjusting procedure enables high-throughput collection of delay discounting data, with potential applications for investigating impulsivity across the lifespan. However, the current extended session design may limit its suitability for pharmacological evaluations.
期刊介绍:
Behavioural Brain Research is an international, interdisciplinary journal dedicated to the publication of articles in the field of behavioural neuroscience, broadly defined. Contributions from the entire range of disciplines that comprise the neurosciences, behavioural sciences or cognitive sciences are appropriate, as long as the goal is to delineate the neural mechanisms underlying behaviour. Thus, studies may range from neurophysiological, neuroanatomical, neurochemical or neuropharmacological analysis of brain-behaviour relations, including the use of molecular genetic or behavioural genetic approaches, to studies that involve the use of brain imaging techniques, to neuroethological studies. Reports of original research, of major methodological advances, or of novel conceptual approaches are all encouraged. The journal will also consider critical reviews on selected topics.