Dopamine D2 receptors mediate reversal learning in male C57BL/6J mice

Paul J. Kruzich, Suzanne H. Mitchell, Audrey Younkin, David K. Grandy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dopamine is critical for directing goal-oriented behavior. We investigated dopamine D2 receptor involvement in reversal learning and reinforcement efficacy in mice lacking functional dopamine D2 receptors and their heterozygous and wild-type littermates. Mice discriminated between two odors to receive a food reinforcer: One odor signaled a reinforcer (S+); the other odor signaled no reinforcer (S-). After mice learned the S+/S- relationship, we inverted the reinforcement contingencies. The necessary number of trials to relearn the new reinforcement contingencies served as our index of reversal learning. Mice lacking functional dopamine D2 receptors repeatedly failed to inhibit previously reinforced responses during reversal trials. In a separate experiment, mice responded for reinforcers on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. Mice lacking functional dopamine D2 receptors earned significantly fewer reinforcers than did heterozygous mice. Our results suggest that dopamine D2 receptors regulate reversal learning and influence the reinforcing efficacy of natural rewards.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)86-90
Number of pages5
JournalCognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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