scholarly journals Setting the Occasion for Incentive Motivation: Implications for Addiction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt M. Fraser ◽  
Patricia H. Janak
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Stimulus ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Occasion Setting ◽  
Inappropriate Behaviors ◽  
Appetitive Motivation ◽  
Reward Seeking ◽  
Conditioned Approach

AbstractThe context in which reward-paired cues are encountered sets the occasion for appropriate reward-seeking but may also spur inappropriate behaviors such as the renewal of drug-seeking. The psychological processes underlying occasion setting remain unclear as contexts are diffuse and difficult to isolate from other stimuli. To overcome this, we modeled a context as a phasic and discrete event – an occasion setter – which allowed for control over its presentation and influence on cue-driven reward-seeking. This allowed us to directly assess how occasion setters, like contexts, regulate the predictive and motivational significance of Pavlovian cues. Male rats (n=50) were trained in a Pavlovian paradigm where the presentation of an ambiguous conditioned stimulus was reinforced only if preceded by an occasion setting cue. We assessed the motivational value of the occasion setter and conditioned stimulus alone or in combination using conditioned reinforcement. Rats showed enhanced conditioned approach to the reward port during the reward-adjacent conditioned stimulus when it was preceded by the occasion setter. When allowed the opportunity, rats responded more to obtain presentations of the conditioned stimulus in combination with the occasion setter than the conditioned stimulus alone. Critically, rats also worked to obtain presentations of the occasion setter alone more than the conditioned stimulus, and this was resistant to manipulations of the value of the occasion setter. We conclude that occasion setting can act via incentive motivational mechanisms and that, apart from resolving predictive information about ambiguous reward-paired cues, occasion setters themselves generate states of appetitive motivation that can facilitate reward-seeking.

scholarly journals The basolateral nucleus of the amygdala regulates both the predictive and incentive motivational properties of reward cues

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Servonnet ◽  
Giovanni Hernandez ◽  
Cynthia El Hage ◽  
Pierre-Paul Rompré ◽  
Anne-Noël Samaha
Keyword(s):  
Pavlovian Conditioning ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Basolateral Amygdala ◽  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Neuron Activity ◽  
Food Cues ◽  
Reward Seeking ◽  
Basolateral Nucleus ◽  
Lever Pressing

ABSTRACTReward-associated stimuli can acquire both predictive and incentive motivational properties. These conditioned stimuli (CS) can then guide reward-seeking behaviour in adaptive (e.g., locating food) and maladaptive (e.g., binge eating) ways. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) contributes to learning of the predictive value of CS, but less is known about BLA contributions to the incentive motivational properties of appetitive CS. Here we studied the influence of BLA neuron activity on both the predictive and incentive motivational effects of CS. Water-restricted male rats learned to associate a light-tone cue (CS) with water delivery into a port. We assessed the predictive value to the CS by measuring CS-evoked port entries during Pavlovian conditioning. We assessed CS-evoked incentive motivation by measuring lever-pressing for the CS during instrumental responding sessions. During Pavlovian conditioning, we paired CS presentations with photo-stimulation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-expressing BLA neurons. This potentiated CS-evoked port entries during conditioning, but suppressed subsequent lever-pressing for the CS. This indicates increased conditioned responding to the CS, but an apparent decrease in incentive motivation for that CS. However, in rats previously naïve to photo-stimulation, pairing BLA-ChR2 stimulations during lever-pressing for the CS intensified responding, indicating enhanced motivation for the CS. Rats did not self-administer BLA-ChR2 stimulations, suggesting that BLA activation does not carry a primary reward signal. Lastly, intra-BLA infusions of d-amphetamine also intensified lever-pressing for the CS. These converging findings suggest that BLA mediated-activity enhances both the predictive and incentive motivational properties of CS, allowing BLA-dependent circuits to guide behaviour in the presence of reward-associated cues.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTCues paired with rewards can guide animals to valuable resources such as food. Cues can also promote dysfunctional reward-seeking behaviour, as in over-eating. Reward-paired cues influence reward seeking through two major mechanisms. First, reward-paired cues are predictive and thus evoke anticipation of future rewards. Second, reward-paired cues are powerful motivators and they can evoke pursuit in their own right. Here we show that increasing neural activity in the basolateral amygdala enhances both the predictive and motivational effects of reward-paired cues. The basolateral amygdala therefore facilitates cue-induced control over behaviour by both increasing anticipation for impending rewards and making reward cues more attractive.

scholarly journals Metabotropic group II glutamate receptors in the basolateral amygdala mediate cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Garceau ◽  
Anne-Noël Samaha ◽  
Thomas Cordahi ◽  
Alice Servonnet ◽  
Shaun Yon-Seng Khoo
Keyword(s):  
Basolateral Amygdala ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Glutamate Signaling ◽  
Reward Seeking ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Conditioned Approach ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Motor Effects

Rationale: Reward-associated cues can trigger incentive motivation for reward and invigorate reward-seeking behaviour via Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT). Glutamate signaling within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) modulates cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation. However, the role of BLA metabotropic group II glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptors is largely unknown. Objectives: In Experiment 1, we characterized cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation for water reward using the PIT paradigm. In Experiment 2, we assessed the influence of intra-BLA microinjections of the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 on this effect. Methods: Water-restricted male Sprague-Dawley rats learned to press a lever for water. Separately, they learned to associate one of two auditory cues with free water. On test days, rats could lever press under extinction conditions (no water), with intermittent, non-contingent CS+ and CS- presentations. In Experiment 1, rats were tested under baseline conditions. In Experiment 2, rats received intra-BLA microinjections of LY379268 (0, 3 and 6 μg/hemisphere) before testing. Results: Across experiments, CS+, but not CS- presentations increased water-associated lever pressing during testing, even though responding was reinforced neither by water nor the CS+. Intra-BLA LY379268 abolished both CS+ potentiated pressing on the water-associated lever and CS+ evoked conditioned approach to the site of water delivery. LY379268 did not influence locomotion or instrumental and Pavlovian response rates during intervals between CS presentations or during the CS-, indicating no motor effects. Conclusions: mGlu2/3 receptor activity in the BLA mediates CS-triggered potentiation of incentive motivation for reward, suppressing both CS-induced increases in instrumental pursuit of the reward and anticipatory approach behaviour.

scholarly journals Metabotropic group II glutamate receptors mediate cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation for reward

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Garceau ◽  
Justine Marsault ◽  
Mike J F Robinson ◽  
Anne-Noël Samaha
Keyword(s):  
Free Water ◽  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Receptor Activity ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Water Reward ◽  
Water Port ◽  
Conditioned Approach ◽  
Lever Pressing ◽  
Group Ii

AbstractRationaleReward-associated cues can acquire incentive motivational properties and invigorate reward-seeking actions via Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT). Glutamatergic neurotransmission mediates the appetitive effects of reward-associated cues. We characterized the expression of PIT and its mediation by metabotropic group II glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptor activity in female and male rats.ObjectivesAcross the sexes, we used PIT procedures to determine i) cue-triggered increases in incentive motivation for water reward (Experiment 1), ii) the respective influences of the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 and reward devaluation by satiation on this effect (Experiment 2).MethodsWater-restricted male and female Sprague-Dawley rats learned to lever press for water. Separately, they learned that one of two auditory stimuli predicts free water (CS+ vs CS-). On PIT test days, the CS+ and CS- were presented non-contingently, and we measured effects on lever pressing under extinction (no water). In Experiment 1, we characterized PIT across the sexes. In Experiment 2, we measured PIT after systemic LY379268 administration (0, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg), and water satiation, respectively.ResultsFemale and male rats showed similar PIT, with CS+ but not CS- presentations potentiating water-seeking behaviour. LY379268 (1 mg/kg) attenuated CS+ evoked increases in both water-associated lever pressing and conditioned approach to the water port. Reward devaluation attenuated both water-seeking and CS+ evoked conditioned approach behaviour.ConclusionsThe sexes show similar cue-triggered increases in reward ‘wanting’, and water devaluation suppresses both water seeking and cue-triggered anticipation of water reward. Finally, across the sexes, mGlu2/3 receptor activity mediates cue-triggered increases in reward ‘wanting’.

The adrenergic α2 receptor and sexual incentive motivation in male rats

2006 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Viitamaa ◽  
Antti Haapalinna ◽  
Anders Ågmo
Keyword(s):  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Male Rats

Contiguous Approach Conditioning: A Model for Positive Reinforcement

1974 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maury M. Haraway ◽  
Philip W. Wirth ◽  
Ernest G. Maples
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Positive Reinforcement ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Approach Behavior ◽  
Shuttle Box ◽  
Positive Reinforcer ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Physical Representation ◽  
Conditioned Approach ◽  
Flashing Light

The experiment was designed to demonstrate that a stimulus presented contiguously with the onset of a positive reinforcer, food, may serve as a conditioned elicitor of approach behavior. 20 naive male rats were assigned to two groups. Experimental Ss received their entire daily food supply paired with a flashing light. For control Ss, the light was presented uncorrelated with feeding. Approach behavior was assessed in a shuttle box. When the light was presented on the side of the hurdle opposite S, experimental Ss crossed the hurdle and approached the light significantly faster than did control Ss. The results are taken as physical representation of the conditioned approach responses postulated in Denny's interpretation of positive reinforcement effects.

Contiguous Withdrawal Conditioning: A Model for Punishment

1974 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maury M. Haraway ◽  
Ernest G. Maples
Keyword(s):  
Aversive Stimulus ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Conditioned Approach ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Skinner Box

The study was intended to extend Denny's elicitation theory, which accounts for reinforcement effects through contiguously conditioned approach responses, to the treatment of punishment. This treatment would rest on a demonstration of contiguously conditioned withdrawal responses to stimuli which have been paired with the onset of an aversive stimulus. Two groups of 20 male rats were trained in random order in a standard Skinner box. Experimental Ss received 25 trials in which the onset of a 6-w light was paired with the onset of a 1-ma. shock. Controls received 25 presentations of the light and shock, but these were presented uncorrected with one another. Ss were tested individually in a modified T-maze. A 6-w light was presented in one of the T-arms, randomly selected. Of 20 experimental Ss 17 withdrew from the light but only 9 of 20 control Ss withdrew. The difference between proportions was significant ( p < .01). The findings are taken as allowing the extension of Denny's theory to account for punishment.

scholarly journals Taking rapid and intermittent cocaine infusions enhances both incentive motivation for the drug and cocaine-induced gene regulation in corticostriatal regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie-Anna Minogianis ◽  
Anne-Noël Samaha
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Progressive Ratio ◽  
Incentive Motivation ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Intermittent Access ◽  
Long Access

ABSTRACTA goal in addiction research is to distinguish forms of neuroplasticity that are involved in the transition to addiction from those involved in mere drug taking. Animal models of drug self-administration are essential in this context. Here, we compared in male rats two cocaine self-administration procedures that differ in the extent to which they evoke addiction-like behaviours. We measured both incentive motivation for cocaine using progressive ratio procedures, and cocaine-induced c-fos mRNA expression, a marker of neuronal activity. Rats self-administered intravenous cocaine (0.25 mg/kg/infusion) for seven daily 6-hour sessions. One group had intermittent access (IntA; 6 minutes ON, 26 minutes OFF x 12) to rapid infusions (delivered over 5 seconds). This models the temporal kinetics of human cocaine use and produces robust addiction-like behaviour. The other group had Long access (LgA) to slower infusions (90 seconds). This produces high levels of intake without promoting robust addiction-like behaviour. LgA-90s rats took twice as much cocaine as IntA-5s rats did, but IntA-5s rats showed greater incentive motivation for the drug. Following a final self-administration session, we quantified c-fos mRNA expression in corticostriatal regions. Compared to LgA-90s rats, IntA-5s rats had more cocaine-induced c-fos mRNA in the orbitofrontal and prelimbic cortices and the caudate-putamen. Thus, a cocaine self-administration procedure (intermittent intake of rapid infusions) that promotes increased incentive motivation for the drug also enhances cocaine-induced gene regulation in corticostriatal regions. This suggests that increased drug-induced recruitment of these regions could contribute to the neural and behavioural plasticity underlying the transition to addiction.

The 3-second auditory conditioned stimulus is a more effective stressor than the 20-second auditory conditioned stimulus in male rats

Neuroscience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 299 ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kiyokawa ◽  
K. Mikami ◽  
Y. Mikamura ◽  
A. Ishii ◽  
Y. Takeuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Stimulus ◽  
Male Rats

scholarly journals The right central amygdala shows greater activation in response to an auditory conditioned stimulus in male rats

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (10) ◽  
pp. 1563-1568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi KIYOKAWA ◽  
Daichi TAKAHASHI ◽  
Yukari TAKEUCHI ◽  
Yuji MORI
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Stimulus ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Central Amygdala ◽  
The Right
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