Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 91.9 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Does the hippocampus contribute to simple non-spatial associations? |
| Authors: |
Otnæss, M. K.*1
; Hafting Fyhn, T.1
; Tuvnes, F. A.1
; Molden, S.1
; Moser, E. I.1
; Moser, M. B.1
1Ctr. Biol. Memory, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Learning & memory: Physiology and imaging |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Animal Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Cognitive learning and memory systems |
| Session: |
91. Learning & Memory: Physiology & Imaging I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Saturday, November 8, 2003 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # Y7 |
| Keywords: | hippocampus, learning, memory, recognition |
Several studies suggest that the hippocampus (HPC) is necessary for configural associations but not for simple non-spatial associations. We asked whether HPC involvement in simple non-spatial associations depends on the nature of the stimuli and responses that are paired. First, we trained rats with complete ibotenate lesions of HPC to perform a simple non-spatial odour-food association. The rats were trained to dig for a food reward in a scented cup of sand while ignoring an unscented cup. Both lesioned and control animals showed fast acquisition, as predicted (e.g., Dudchenko et al., 2000). Next, we asked whether HPC lesions impaired the rats’ ability to acquire two less common stimulus conjunctions. Rats were first trained to associate a specific odour with the appearance of an escape platform at a randomly determined location in a modified annular watermaze (Hollup et al., SfN 1999). When the rat arrived at the platform location, a specific odour was presented and the platform was then raised in the scented area after a gradually increased delay of 0-5 s. Sham-operated control rats learned to stop at the odour location, which allowed them to climb the platform when it was raised. Rats with HPC lesions failed to stop at longer delays (both naïve and pretrained groups). In a different experiment, the appearance of the platform was paired with a gentle tactile stimulus (an underwater current). Again, the HPC group failed to wait at longer delays whereas sham-operated rats did. This behaviour could reflect a delay-related associative impairment, or a simple response deficit. Preliminary results indicate that at least some rats that failed to stop in the associative tasks did stop to receive unconditioned medial forebrain bundle stimulation at a particular location in the same maze. This may suggest a role for the HPC in simple association of non-primed stimulus pairs under some conditions.
Supported by Norw. Res. Council
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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