Effects of cathecholaminergic lesions of the prelimbic prefrontal cortex on sustained attention demanding task performance in rats
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1
Pécs University, Institute of Physiology and Neurophysiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), Hungary
Lesions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) producing a deficit in attention results in decrease of behavioural flexibility. 6-OHDA lesion of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle impairs attention during variable short inter-trial-intervals (ITI) contingencies. In the present experiments the effects of selective lesion of these terminals of prelimbic PFC were studied on sustained attention demanding tasks. Water deprived rats were trained to detect a brief light signal presented randomly at the left or right side. After presentation of the signal, the press on the lever under the light was reinforced and recorded as a correct response. Incorrect and missed responses were recorded, too. After the animals had achieved lever press accuracy of 75 % bilateral 6-OHDA lesions were carried out in the PFC. In the other group, dopamine uptake blocker was applied to enhance the selectivity of lesions noradrenalin terminals. Postoperatively, the animals were observed in tests with different ITIs to manipulate the level of attentional demands. Our results showed that the 6-OHDA lesion caused decreased correct responses and enhanced omission errors without increasing the incorrect responses if the ITI was 5 sec. Both lesioned groups had less incorrect responses compared to controls. In conclusion, in the prelimbic PFC the 6-OHDA lesion impairs attentional accuracy, and both cathecholaminergic inputs of the prelimbic PFC are involved in attentional processes.
Acknowledgements
Supported by NKTH-OTKA K68431 and the HAS
Keywords:
Neurophysiology,
Neuroscience
Conference:
13th Conference of the Hungarian Neuroscience Society (MITT), Budapest, Hungary, 20 Jan - 22 Jan, 2011.
Presentation Type:
Abstract
Topic:
Neurophysiology
Citation:
Gálosi
R,
Pusztai
P,
Hajnal
N,
Tóth
A,
Petykó
Z and
Lénárd
L
(2011). Effects of cathecholaminergic lesions of the prelimbic prefrontal cortex on sustained attention demanding task performance in rats.
Front. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
13th Conference of the Hungarian Neuroscience Society (MITT).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2011.84.00126
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Received:
03 Mar 2011;
Published Online:
23 Mar 2011.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. R. Gálosi, Pécs University, Institute of Physiology and Neurophysiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), Pécs, Hungary, rita.galosi@aok.pte.hu