The role of performance factors in the active avoidance-conditioning deficit in autoimmune mice.

Abstract

Prior studies with autoimmune mice demonstrated deficits in 2-way active avoidance conditioning that correlated with the degree of autoimmunity. In this study, autoimmune female NZB x NZW F1 hybrid (B/W) mice were tested in shock-motivated discrimination learning, 1-way avoidance conditioning, and a modified 2-way avoidance task and compared to nonautoimmune female NZW mice. The discrimination and 1-way conditioning results indicated that B/W mice can learn shock-motivated tasks that involve minimal fatigue and no conflict. B/W mice were also able to learn the 2-way avoidance task when it was made easier by increasing conditioned-stimulus cue salience, clarifying contingencies, and increasing trial spacing to decrease possible cognitive, emotional, and physical fatigue. Thus, poor performance in 2-way avoidance appears to be a consequence of altered attention, motivation, or emotionality and can be overcome by altering task parameters.

• Authors: L M Schrott, L S Crnic
• Journal: Behavioral neuroscience (Behav Neurosci) Vol. 110 Issue 3 Pg. 486-91 (Jun 1996) ISSN: 0735-7044 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8888994 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Topics

• Animals
• Autoimmunity (physiology)
• Avoidance Learning (physiology)
• Conditioning, Psychological (physiology)
• Discrimination Learning (physiology)
• Female
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred NZB