Source Paper
No effect of partial reinforcement on fear extinction learning and memory in C57BL/6J mice
Su CJ, Fukunaga Y, Penna S, Cazares VA
Learn Mem • 2025
Cued Fear Conditioning
Objective: To assess Pavlovian fear learning and extinction through cued fear conditioning using tone-shock pairings
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Protocol Steps
Context A Setup for Fear Conditioning
Set up conditioning context with metal rod floor grid, clean with 30% vinegar solution, use standard walls and lights on
View evidence from paper
“FC training took place in context A: a metal rod floor grid, scented and cleaned with 30% white vinegar”
Fear Conditioning Training
Present 10 or 25 second tones (50 dB, 4.0 kHz) immediately followed by 0.75 or 0.3 mA footshocks for 1-2 days
View evidence from paper
“10 or 25 sec tones (50 db, 4.0 kHz), serving as conditioned stimuli (CS), immediately preceded 0.75 or 0.3 mA footshocks”
CS-US Pairing Schedule
Administer varying reinforcement schedules: 3:3 or 6:6 CS:US pairings for consistent reinforcement, or partial reinforcement with 6:3, 12:6, or 30:3 CS:US pairs
View evidence from paper
“Mice that were consistently reinforced during FC received 3:3 or 6:6 CS:US pairings”
Context B Setup for Extinction
Switch to extinction context with semicircular white acrylic wall, white acrylic flooring, clean with 75% ethanol, and lights off
View evidence from paper
“conducted in context B: a semicircular white acrylic wall and white acrylic flooring, scented and cleaned with 75% ethanol”
Fear Extinction Training
Conduct 1-3 consecutive days of extinction training with 12 unreinforced CS presentations per day
View evidence from paper
“mice received between one and three consecutive days of FE training, each day of which consisted of 12 unreinforced exposures”
Memory Testing
Test recent and remote extinction memory by exposing mice to 4 CS presentations at 2 and 30 days after extinction training
View evidence from paper
“mice were exposed to four CS at 2 and 30 days after extinction training”