Intramodal Reversal Learning
Objective: To investigate the role of prelimbic-infralimbic areas in behavioral flexibility by examining place and response reversals (intramodal shifts) in rats using a cross-maze
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Protocol Steps
Surgical implantation
All rats received bilateral cannula implants aimed at the prelimbic-infralimbic areas
Note: Cannulas were used for subsequent drug infusions
View evidence from paper
“All rats received a bilateral cannula implant aimed at the prelimbic-infralimbic areas”
Initial discrimination training
Rats were trained on either place or response discrimination in the cross-maze. Some rats received place version first followed by response version, while others received the reverse order
Note: This established baseline discrimination learning before reversal testing
View evidence from paper
“Some rats were tested on the place version first followed by the response version. The procedure for the other rats was reversed”
Intramodal reversal learning - Place reversal
One group of rats was tested on a place reversal task in the cross-maze. This involved reversing the correct spatial location after initial place discrimination was learned
Note: Prelimbic-infralimbic inactivation was tested during this phase
View evidence from paper
“To investigate the role of the prelimbic-infralimbic areas in intramodal shifts (reversal learning), one group of rats was tested on a place reversal”
Intramodal reversal learning - Response reversal
Another group of rats was tested on a response reversal task in the cross-maze. This involved reversing the correct egocentric response after initial response discrimination was learned
Note: Prelimbic-infralimbic inactivation was tested during this phase
View evidence from paper
“another group tested on a response reversal. Prelimbic-infralimbic inactivation did not impair place or response intramodal shifts”
Drug infusion during reversal learning
2% tetracaine was infused into the prelimbic-infralimbic areas during reversal learning to inactivate these brain regions
Note: Tetracaine inactivation did not impair intramodal shifts
View evidence from paper
“Infusions of 2% tetracaine into the prelimbic-infralimbic areas did not impair acquisition of the place or response discriminations”
Transfer test
Some rats that completed testing on a particular version in the cross-modal and intramodal experiments were tested on the same version in a new room
Note: Transfer tests revealed whether rats used spatial strategy (place version) or egocentric response strategy (response version)
View evidence from paper
“Some rats that completed testing on a particular version in the cross-modal and intramodal experiments were tested on the same version in a new room for 3 d”