Role of temporal parameters and prediction error on triggering plasticity in amygdala nuclei and reconsolidation in an appetitive conditioning

• Grant number: 14/22178-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Jose Lino Oliveira Bueno
• Grantee: Tatiane Ferreira Tavares
• Supervisor: Valérie Doyère
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Paris-Sud (Paris 11), France
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/01461-9 - Reinforcement omission effects in rats with lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area, BP.PD

Abstract

It has been suggested that the temporal component of the learning experience might be a fundamental component for learning an association. This important role of time in associative learning was incorporated in temporal difference learning models and is the foundation of the prediction error detection studies. Depending on the nature of the predicted outcome, prediction errors can concern a large range of elements (reinforcement omission, CS omission or changes in the temporal relationship between CS and US). Studies have shown that the amygdala is involved in these processes, and that prediction error detection is a fundamental mechanism in triggering reconsolidation of Pavlovian memories in the amygdala. Thus, studies have shown a critical role of the amygdala in many aspects of learning processing including its temporal characteristics. However, whereas the role of amygdala in reconsolidation has been well established in aversive situations (e.g. fear conditioning), there are few studies in appetitive operant conditioning, and none with regard to the role of temporal parameters in an appetitive setting. This study will use the ROE paradigm to analyze how an unexpected change in the temporal parameters of the association interferes with behavior in an appetitive operant paradigm, thus setting a paradigm for a behavioral correlate of temporal prediction error detection (Experiment 1). Experiment 2 will then assess whether infusion of a protein synthesis inhibitor in BLA immediately after reactivation interferes with the reconsolidation triggered by a temporal prediction error. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DALLERAC, GLENN; GRAUPNER, MICHAEL; KNIPPENBERG, JEROEN; RUIZ MARTINEZ, RAQUEL CHACON; TAVARES, TATIANE FERREIRA; TALLOT, LUCILLE; EL MASSIOUI, NICOLE; VERSCHUEREN, ANNA; HOHN, SOPHIE; BERTOLUS, JULIE BOULANGER; et al. Updating temporal expectancy of an aversive event engages striatal plasticity under amygdala control. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, v. 8, JAN 9 2017. (12/06825-9, 14/22178-9, 11/08575-7)