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Full-Text Articles in Experimental Analysis of Behavior

Nmda Receptor Blockade Specifically Impedes The Acquisition Of Incentive Salience Attribution, Jonathan J. Chow, Joshua S. Beckmann Feb 2018

Nmda Receptor Blockade Specifically Impedes The Acquisition Of Incentive Salience Attribution, Jonathan J. Chow, Joshua S. Beckmann

Psychology Faculty Publications

Glutamatergic signaling plays an important role in learning and memory. Using Pavlovian conditioned approach procedures, the mechanisms that drive stimulus-reward learning and memory have been investigated. However, there are instances where reward-predictive stimuli can function beyond being solely predictive and can be attributed with “motivational value” or incentive salience. Using a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure consisting of two different but equally predictive stimuli (lever vs. tone) we investigated the role NMDA receptor function has in the attribution of incentive salience. The results revealed that the administration of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, during acquisition of Pavlovian conditioned approach promoted goal-tracking …


Blocking Of Acquisition But Not Expression Of Conditioned Fear-Potentiated Startle By Nmda Antagonists In The Amygdala, Mindy Miserendino, Catherine B. Sananes, Kathleen R. Melia, Michael Davis Jun 1990

Blocking Of Acquisition But Not Expression Of Conditioned Fear-Potentiated Startle By Nmda Antagonists In The Amygdala, Mindy Miserendino, Catherine B. Sananes, Kathleen R. Melia, Michael Davis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Assessed the role of N-methyl-{d}-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the amygdala in associative fear conditioning. 132 rats were implanted with cannulae aimed at the basolateral amygdaloid nuclei, while 13 controls had cannulae aimed at the interpositus nuclei of the cerebellum. NMDA antagonists infused into the amygdala blocked the acquisition, but not the expression, of fear conditioning measured with a behavioral assay mediated by a defined neural circuit (fear-potentiation of the acoustic startle reflex). This effect showed anatomical and pharmacological specificity, and was not attributable to reduced salience of the stimuli of light or shock used in training. An NMDA-dependent process in …