The effect of apomorphine on visual discrimination learning and reversal learning in rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Using apomorphine, a potent dopamine receptor agonist and rotating T-maze, the effect of apomorphine on the visual discrimination learning and reversal learning in rats was investigated. Methods All rats were trained in a visual discrimination task (food reward and light stimulus) in rotating T-maze. After reaching the acquisition criterion, rats were trained in a reversal task (food reward and without light stimulus) in the same maze. During the period of visual discrimination task, apomorphine was administrated either 30 minutes prior to learning or after learning immediately. Results The results showed that apomorphine, which was given either 30 minutes prior to visual discrimination learning or after learning, could impair the acquisition of discrimination learning( 259.20±26.29 and 264.00±16.97, compared to 168.00±16.97 and 163.20±20.08) and apomorphine, which was given only after visual discrimination learning, could impair the acquisition of reversal learning (451.20±39.44 compared to 360.00±29.39). Conclusion The results showed that apomorphine, which was given either 30 minutes prior to visual discrimination learning or after learning, could impair the acquisition of discrimination learning and apomorphine, which was given only after visual discrimination learning, could impair the acquisition of reversal learning.