Multiple memory systems and extinction: the neurobiological basis of latent extinction

dc.contributorPackard, Mark G.
dc.creatorGabriele, Amanda
dc.date.accessioned2010-01-15T00:07:49Z
dc.date.accessioned2010-01-16T00:59:15Z
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-07T19:55:38Z
dc.date.available2010-01-15T00:07:49Z
dc.date.available2010-01-16T00:59:15Z
dc.date.available2017-04-07T19:55:38Z
dc.date.created2008-05
dc.date.issued2009-05-15
dc.description.abstractUnderstanding the neural mechanisms underlying the extinction of maladaptive behaviors has become increasingly relevant. Extinction, or the reduction of a response due to lack of reinforcement, is believed to be ?new learning.? Most extinction paradigms involve the performance of the previously reinforced response in the absence of reinforcement in order for extinction to occur. Conversely, latent extinction is a cognitive form of learning in which the previously rewarded response is not made during extinction training. However, until now the neurobiological basis of latent extinction has remained unknown. This dissertation has three aims to examine the neurobiological basis of latent extinction. Previous research has shown latent extinction to be impaired following hippocampal inactivation and the goal of Aim 1 was to examine other neural systems potentially involved in latent extinction through examination of brain structures such as the dorsal striatum, medial prefrontal cortex, and basolateral amygdala. Additionally, the neurochemical basis of latent extinction is unidentified; therefore Aim 2 addressed this question, specifically investigating the glutamatergic system through both NMDA receptor agonism and antagonism. Finally, understanding latent extinction may be useful for the extinction of drug addiction. Aim 3 was to examine some clinical implications for the extinction of drug addiction utilizing latent extinction following maze running for an oral cocaine reward. Reversible neural inactivation studies using the sodium channel blocker bupivacaine demonstrated a selective impairment of response extinction following dorsal striatum inactivation, but no effect on either latent or response extinction following medial prefrontal cortex or basolateral amygdala inactivation. These results, coupled with previous data from our lab demonstrate a double dissociation for extinction behavior. Further, peripheral NMDA receptor agonism with D-cyloserine enhances latent extinction and intra-hippocampal NMDA receptor antagonism with AP5 impairs latent extinction, identifying a role for the glutamatergic system in latent extinction. Finally, oral cocaine administration during acquisition selectively impairs latent extinction indicating that drug use affects the relive use of multiple memory systems during extinction. Overall, the multiple memory systems theory and latent extinction provide a framework with which to further understand the neural mechanisms of extinction behavior.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2823
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subjectlatent extinction
dc.subjecthippocampus
dc.subjectdorsal striatum
dc.subjectextinction
dc.subjectcocaine
dc.titleMultiple memory systems and extinction: the neurobiological basis of latent extinction
dc.typeBook
dc.typeThesis

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