Prelimbic cortex bdnf knock-down reduces instrumental responding in extinction

Learn Mem. 2009 Nov 19;16(12):756-60. doi: 10.1101/lm.1547909. Print 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Anatomically selective medial prefrontal cortical projections regulate the extinction of stimulus-reinforcement associations, but the mechanisms underlying extinction of an instrumental response for reward are less well-defined and may involve structures that regulate goal-directed action. We show brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) knock-down in the prelimbic, but not orbitofrontal, cortex accelerates the initial extinction of instrumental responding for food and reduces striatal BDNF protein. When knock-down mice were provided with alternative response options to readily obtain reinforcement, extinction of the previously reinforced response was unaffected, consistent with the hypothesis that the prelimbic cortex promotes instrumental action, particularly when reinforcement is uncertain or unavailable.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / physiology
  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / physiology*
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology*
  • Extinction, Psychological / physiology*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neostriatum / metabolism
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor