Source Paper
Neural Encoding in Orbitofrontal Cortex and Basolateral Amygdala during Olfactory Discrimination Learning
Geoffrey Schoenbaum, Andrea A. Chiba, Michela Gallagher
Journal of Neuroscience • 1999
Olfactory Reversal Training
Objective: To assess neural encoding changes in orbitofrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala during olfactory discrimination learning and reversal training performed in the same session
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Protocol Steps
Initial Olfactory Discrimination Learning
Rats are presented with novel odors that signal different outcomes. Rats must learn to withhold a response after sampling an odor that signals a negative outcome.
Note: This is the initial learning phase where rats learn the association between odors and outcomes
View evidence from paper
“rats were presented with novel odors that were informative about the outcome of making a response and had to learn to withhold a response after sampling an odor that signaled a negative outcome”
Reversal Training
Reversal training is performed in the same session as initial learning. The contingencies are reversed so that previously rewarded odors now signal negative outcomes and vice versa.
Note: Reversal training occurs within the same recording session as initial discrimination learning
View evidence from paper
“In some cases, reversal training was performed in the same session as the initial learning”
Neural Recording During Task
Single unit recordings are made from neurons in orbitofrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala throughout the discrimination learning and reversal training phases.
Note: 96 of 328 neurons recorded in OFC and 60 of 229 neurons recorded in ABL exhibited selective activity during odor evaluation after learning
View evidence from paper
“Ninety-six of the 328 neurons recorded in OFC and 60 of the 229 neurons recorded in ABL exhibited selective activity during evaluation of the odor cues after learning had occurred”