Sugar withdrawal effects on the performance of rats in DRL 72 schedule

• Grant number: 21/10953-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Leyser Gonçalves
• Grantee: Fernanda Pinto Freire
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Changes in the organism associated with sugar consumption directly impact one's behavior. In the literature, it is possible to find similarities between said changes and those following drug use, including its addictive potential and withdrawal effects. Furthermore, it is possible to observe studies establishing the causes between high-sugar diets and increased impulsivity. In that sense, this study aims to propose an evaluation through differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL) of the effects of sugar exposition and withdrawal over impulsive actions on male Wistar rats. To do so, a DRL 72s procedure, having a commercial sugar solution as a reinforcement, shall be used. In that matter, 32 rats will be used, which will undergo water deprivation and initial DRL training sessions, initially having water as a reinforcer and, later on, a sugary solution. Next up, the animals will be split into two groups: Group E, which will be exposed to the consumption of sugared water for 28 days, and Group C, which will only receive water (C) for 28 days also. Immediately after, shall occur a 14-day withdrawal phase, in which the sucrose solution will not be made available anymore. Last, the subjects will undergo a DRL 72 test, which will use the sugary solution as a reinforcement. After gathering the data, changes in behavior in the test will be compared to the baseline and the results of both groups will be compared against each other.(AU)