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The mGluR5 Antagonist MTEP Dissociates the Acquisition of Predictive and Incentive Motivational Properties of Reward-Paired Stimuli in Mice.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:55 authored by Eoin C O'Connor, Hans CrombagHans Crombag, Andy N Mead, David N Stephens
An environmental stimulus paired with reward (a conditioned stimulus; CS) can acquire predictive properties that signal reward availability and may also acquire incentive motivational properties that enable the CS to influence appetitive behaviors. The neural mechanisms involved in the acquisition and expression of these CS properties are not fully understood. The metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR5, contributes to synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory processes. We examined the role of mGluR5 in the acquisition and expression of learning that enables a CS to predict reward (goal-tracking) and acquire incentive properties (conditioned reinforcement). Mice were injected with vehicle or the mGluR5 antagonist, MTEP (3 or 10¿mg/kg), before each Pavlovian conditioning session in which a stimulus (CS+) was paired with food delivery. Subsequently, in the absence of the primary food reward, we determined whether the CS+ could reinforce a novel instrumental response (conditioned reinforcement) and direct behavior toward the place of reward delivery (goal-tracking). MTEP did not affect performance during the conditioning phase, or the ability of the CS+ to elicit a goal-tracking response. In contrast, 10¿mg/kg MTEP given before each conditioning session prevented the subsequent expression of conditioned reinforcement. This dose of MTEP did not affect conditioned reinforcement when administered before the test, in mice that had received vehicle before conditioning sessions. Thus, mGluR5 has a critical role in the acquisition of incentive properties by a CS, but is not required for the expression of incentive learning, or for the CS to acquire predictive properties that signal reward availability.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Neuropsychopharmacology

ISSN

0893133X

Issue

8

Volume

35

Page range

1807-1817

Pages

11.0

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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