Source Paper
Orbitofrontal Cortex and Representation of Incentive Value in Associative Learning
Michela Gallagher, Robert W. McMahan, Geoffrey Schoenbaum
Journal of Neuroscience • 1999
Devaluation Test
Objective: Testing conditioned responding to a visual stimulus following devaluation of the associated reinforcer to assess sensitivity to changes in incentive value
This is a Devaluation Test protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 4 equipment items, 2 materials. Extracted from a 1999 paper published in Journal of Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Initial Conditioned Response Acquisition • Taste Aversion Learning (US Devaluation) • Devaluation Test
Primary readouts
- Approach behavior to food cup during CS presentation
- Change in conditioned responding following US devaluation
- Comparison of responding between lesion and control groups
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Initial Conditioned Response Acquisition
Rats were trained to associate a visual conditioned stimulus (light) with delivery of food pellets to a food cup. As a consequence of learning, rats approached the food cup during the CS in anticipation of reinforcement.
Note: This is the first training phase establishing the CS-US association
View evidence from paper
“Rats were first trained to associate a visual CS with delivery of food pellets to a food cup. As a consequence of learning, rats approached the food cup during the CS in anticipation of reinforcement”
Taste Aversion Learning (US Devaluation)
Injection of lithium chloride (LiCl) was administered following consumption of the food unconditioned stimulus in the home cage. This procedure was used to alter the incentive value of the US by creating a taste aversion.
Note: This is the second training phase that devalues the food reinforcer
View evidence from paper
“injection of LiCl followed consumption of the food unconditioned stimulus (US) in the home cage, a procedure used to alter the incentive value of the US”
Devaluation Test
Rats were returned to the conditioning chamber and their responding to the visual CS was tested in the absence of the food US. Approach behavior to the food cup during CS presentation was measured to assess sensitivity to the devaluation of the reinforcer.
Note: This test measures whether conditioned responding is sensitive to changes in incentive value of the reinforcer
View evidence from paper
“Subsequently, rats were returned to the conditioning chamber, and their responding to the CS in the absence of the food US was tested”