Celebration of Scholars
The Role of Behavioral Inhibition and the Amygdala on Avoidance Acquisition in Rats
Name:
Victoria Jensen
Major: Neuroscience, Psychology
Hometown: Granton, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Daniel Miller
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, external funding (Department of Veteran Affairs through Dr. Rick Servatius)
Name:
Jesse Wilson
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Salem, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Daniel Miller
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE, external funding (Department of Veteran Affairs through Dr. Rick Servatius)
Abstract
Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats are a model for behavioral inhibition in humans, a temperament that exhibits avoidance as a function of anxiety. The amygdala is associated with avoidance acquisition. Between-groups analysis of the open field observed six inhibited behaviors (dependent variables) between WKY rats and Sprague-Dawley (SD) controls. Three between-within factorials determined percent CRs, post-escape bar presses and CR latency (dependent variables) between two strains (WKY and SD), two surgical groups (amygdala lesion and sham) and within nine sessions. The results of the open field supported the hypothesis that WKY rats are more behaviorally inhibited than SDs. Percent CRs supported the hypotheses that rats acquire CRs over time and amygdala lesions impair CR acquisition. Post-escape bar presses supported the hypothesis that amygdala lesions decrease post-escape bar presses. CR latency supported the hypotheses that CR latency decreases over time, amygdala lesions increase CR latency and amygdala lesions affect WKY rats more dramatically than SD rats.Submit date: March 14, 2014, 7:41 p.m.