Extinction in multiple contexts reduces the return of extinguished responses: A multilevel meta-analysis.

Extinguished responses have been shown to reappear under several circumstances, and this reappearance is considered to model behaviors such as relapse after exposure therapy. Conducting extinction in multiple contexts has been explored as a technique to decrease the recovery of extinguished responses. The present meta-analysis aimed to examine whether extinction in multiple contexts can consistently reduce the recovery of extinguished responses. After searching in several databases, experiments were included in the analysis if they presented extinction in multiple contexts, an experimental design, and an adequate statistical report. Cohen's d was obtained for each critical comparison and weighted to obtain the sample's average weighted effect size. Analyses were then performed using a multilevel meta-analytic approach. Twenty-five studies were included, with a total sample of 37 experiments or critical comparisons. The analyses showed a large effect size for the sample, moderated by the length of conditioned stimulus exposure, type of experimental subject, and type of recovery. The robust effect of extinction in multiple contexts on relapse should encourage clinicians to consider extinction in multiple contexts as a useful technique in therapy and research.

Relation among, trait anxiety, intolerance to uncertainty and early maltreatment experiences on fear discrimination learning and avoidance generalization online task.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early aversive experiences, which have been associated with elevated anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty (IUS), may contribute negatively to fear conditioning learning. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relation among individual differences in childhood maltreatment experiences, trait anxiety, and IUS in adulthood; and to determine how these variables could affect fear learning discrimination and avoidance generalization. METHODS: We adapted an avoidance procedure in an online fear learning task. Two pictures of different lamp colors (CS+) were first associated with two aversive images (US), while a third color was not (CS-). Next, clicking a button during one CS + could effectively avoid the US (CS + av), but not during the other (CS + unav). Finally, avoidance generalization was tested to lamp colors that were between CS- and CS + av (safety dimension) and CS + av and CS + unav (avoidability dimension). With a sample of 67 participants, we measured ratings of relief, expectancy, and anxiety, as well as button presses and individual differences (STAI, IUS and MAES). RESULTS: Aversive early experiences were positively related to trait anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty. The results of the task further suggested that maltreatment experience contributes to be more attentive to aversive signals, which could be implicated in leading to difficulties in discrimination learning. LIMITATIONS: Online experiments implies some loss of control over subjects and environment that can threaten internal validity. Likewise, the commitment of participants may be low. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that early aversive experience and anxiety could contribute to the development of IUS, which likely contributes to the development of avoidance behavior.

Behavioral effects on the offspring of rodent mothers exposed to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): A meta-analysis.

Pre and perinatal administration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in rodents and their offspring has many effects that have been studied using different methods that have not been integrated using quantitative methods. The effect of THC administration on behavior can be better understood by meta-analytic techniques. We examined whether there is an overall effect on the behavior of the offspring when THC is administered to mothers. Eligibility criteria included experiments using an experimental design with a control group without THC, in which THC is administered to mothers during pregnancy and lactation in rodents, and in which at least one type of behavioral (locomotor, emotional or cognitive) measurement in the offspring was implemented. Cohen's d was obtained for each study, then each individual study was weighted, and moderator analysis was performed. Analysis was performed using fixed and random effect models, and the heterogeneity was assessed by calculating Qb, I 2 and the prediction interval. Furthermore, 3 sub-meta-analyses were carried out according to the type of behavior. The general analysis determined a low weighted effect size of THC on the behavior of the offspring, moderated by type of rat strain. The sub-meta-analyses showed a medium effect for cognitive effects of THC in the offspring, and a low effect on locomotor activity and emotional behavior. In addition, publication bias was not detected. More research is needed to contribute to the understanding of the effect of THC exposure on offspring.

[Interoceptive and exteroceptive cues in the tolerance of the ethanol ataxic effect in rats]. / Claves interoceptivas y exteroceptivas en la tolerancia al efecto atáxico del etanol en ratas.

In the current analysis of classic conditioning with regard to the phenomenon of drug tolerance, there is empirical evidence of interoceptive pharmacologic cues and of exteroceptive cues, which are associated with the effect of the drug. The former could overshadow the latter. The aim of the present investigation was to contribute experimental data about the interaction that occurs between these two kinds of cues. For this purpose, a set of interoceptive and exteroceptive cues was presented as conditioned stimulus, together with an unconditioned stimulus that corresponded to the ataxic effects of ethanol. The results showed that the interoceptive cues were associated with the ataxic effect of ethanol, and they produced a tolerance response of the same intensity as the exteroceptive cues.

Claves interoceptivas y exteroceptivas en la tolerancia al efecto atáxico del etanol en ratas / Interoceptive and exteroceptive cues in the tolerance of the ethanol ataxic effect in rats

En el análisis actual del condicionamiento clásico frente al fenómeno de la tolerancia a las drogas existe evidencia empírica de que las claves farmacológicas interoceptivas, al igual que las claves exteroceptivas, se asocian con los efectos de la droga y que las primeras pueden llegar a ensombrecer a las segundas. El propósito de esta investigación es aportar datos experimentales sobre la interacción que se da entre ambos tipos de claves, para ello se presentó como estímulo condicionado un compuesto de claves interoceptivas y exteroceptivas junto al estímulo incondicionado correspondiente a los efectos atáxicos del etanol. Los resultados demostraron que las claves interoceptivas se asociaron con el efecto atáxico del etanol, y éstas presentaron una respuesta de tolerancia de la misma intensidad que la de las claves exteroceptivas

In the current analysis of classic conditioning with regard to the phenomenon of drug tolerance, there is empirical evidence of interoceptive pharmacologic cues and of exteroceptive cues, which are associated with the effect of the drug. The former could overshadow the latter. The aim of the present investigation was to contribute experimental data about the interaction that occurs between these two kinds of cues. For this purpose, a set of interoceptive and exteroceptive cues was presented as conditioned stimulus, together with an unconditioned stimulus that corresponded to the ataxic effects of ethanol. The results showed that the interoceptive cues were associated with the ataxic effect of ethanol, and they produced a tolerance response of the same intensity as the exteroceptive cues