Glutamate receptors in the rat medial prefrontal cortex regulate set-shifting ability

Mark R. Stefani, Karyn Groth, Bita Moghaddam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

140 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors examined set-shifting abilities in rats injected with antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (MK801) or alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (LY293558) into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Set-shifting was assessed with a maze-based task requiring a switch between brightness and texture discrimination strategies. Intra-mPFC injection of MK801 prior to training on the 2nd discrimination impaired discrimination strategy acquisition. The MK801-induced deficit was due to increased perseverative responding. AMPA receptor blockade also impaired acquisition of the 2nd discrimination; these impairments were due to more general cognitive deficits. Results suggest that, within the mPFC, both AMPA and NMDA receptors are necessary for set-shifting, and that NMDA receptor hypofunction impairs the capacity to modify existing knowledge or to inhibit responses that are no longer appropriate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)728-737
Number of pages10
JournalBehavioral Neuroscience
Volume117
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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