Source Paper
Enhanced and Impaired Attentional Performance After Infusion of D1 Dopaminergic Receptor Agents into Rat Prefrontal Cortex
Sylvie Granon, Filippo Passetti, Kerrie L. Thomas, Jeffrey W. Dalley, Barry J. Everitt et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2000
Five-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task
Objective: Investigate the role of D1 and D2-like dopamine receptors in the rat prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex in spatial divided and sustained attention using a five-choice serial reaction time task
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Equipment1
Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Materials3
Software1
Not specified • Not specified
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Protocol Steps
Rat training on five-choice serial reaction time task
Rats were trained to detect brief flashes of light presented randomly in a spatial array of five apertures
Note: Training continued until baseline performance stabilized
View evidence from paper
“Rats were trained to detect brief flashes of light (0.5–0.25 sec) presented randomly in a spatial array of five apertures. When performance stabilized, animals received bilateral microinfusions”
Baseline performance assessment
Rats were divided into two groups based on baseline accuracy levels: low (<75% correct) and high (>75% correct)
Note: Baseline accuracy determined group assignment for subsequent drug testing
View evidence from paper
“Rats were divided into two groups, with low (<75% correct) and high (>75%) baseline levels of accuracy”
Bilateral microinfusion of D1 antagonist SCH 23390
Animals received bilateral microinfusions of SCH 23390 (D1 dopamine receptor antagonist) into the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex
Note: Two doses tested: 0.3 μg (in high baseline group) and 1.0 μg (in combination with SKF 38393)
View evidence from paper
“animals received bilateral microinfusions of either the D1 DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the D1 DA receptor agonist SKF 38393, or the D2 DA antagonist sulpiride into the mPFC”
Bilateral microinfusion of D1 agonist SKF 38393
Animals received bilateral microinfusions of SKF 38393 (D1 dopamine receptor agonist) into the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex
Note: Two doses tested: 0.06 μg (in low baseline group) and 0.03 μg (also in low baseline group)
View evidence from paper
“animals received bilateral microinfusions of either the D1 DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the D1 DA receptor agonist SKF 38393, or the D2 DA antagonist sulpiride into the mPFC”
Bilateral microinfusion of D2 antagonist sulpiride
Animals received bilateral microinfusions of sulpiride (D2 dopamine receptor antagonist) into the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex
Note: Dose not specified in provided text
View evidence from paper
“animals received bilateral microinfusions of either the D1 DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the D1 DA receptor agonist SKF 38393, or the D2 DA antagonist sulpiride into the mPFC”
Combined microinfusion of SKF 38393 and SCH 23390
Animals received bilateral microinfusions of both SKF 38393 (0.06 μg) and SCH 23390 (1.0 μg) to test antagonism of D1 agonist effects
Note: Tested whether SCH 23390 antagonizes beneficial effects of SKF 38393
View evidence from paper
“the beneficial effects of SKF-383893 on choice accuracy were antagonized by SCH 23390 (1.0 μg)”
Measure attentional performance
Assess accuracy of attentional performance and speed of making correct responses on the five-choice serial reaction time task following drug infusions
Note: Task variables measured include accuracy and response speed
View evidence from paper
“SCH 23390 (0.3 μg) selectively impaired the accuracy of attentional performance in rats in the high baseline condition. By contrast, SKF 38393 (0.06 μg) enhanced the accuracy of attentional performance in the low baseline condition, a lower dose (0.03 μg) also increasing the speed of making correct responses”