Favila, N., Gurney, K. and Overton, P.G. orcid.org/0000-0003-4334-261X (2023) The NK1 antagonist L-733,060 facilitates sequence learning. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 37 (6). pp. 610-626. ISSN 0269-8811
Abstract
Background:
Although several brain regions and electrophysiological patterns have been related to sequence learning, less attention has been paid to the role that different neuromodulators play.
Aims:
Here we sought to investigate the role of substance P (SP) in sequence learning in an operant conditioning preparation, supported by a reinforcement learning model. Methods: Two experiments were performed to test the effects of an NK1 receptor (at which SP primarily acts) antagonist on learning and performing action sequences. In experiment 1, rats were trained to perform an action sequence until stable performance was achieved, and then, in phase 2, they were switched to perform the reverse sequence. In experiment 2, rats were trained to perform an action sequence, and in phase 2, they continued to do the same sequence. In both experiments in the first 3 days of phase 2, rats were injected with an NK1 receptor antagonist (L-733,060, i.p.) or with vehicle. Additionally, we developed a reinforcement learning model which allowed the in silico replication of our experimental tasks.
Results:
We found that administering an NK1 receptor antagonist weakened the stable retention of a well-learned sequence, allowing the faster acquisition of a new sequence, without impairing the continued performance of a crystallized sequence. Using our reinforcement learning model, we suggest that SP could be acting through the state value learning rate, modulating the effects of the reward prediction error.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that SP could be involved in the consolidation of a sequence representation through a modulatory effect on the reward prediction error.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2023. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Lficense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
Keywords: | action sequences; substance P; reinforcement learning; reward prediction error; striosomes |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number ROSETREES TRUST UNSPECIFIED |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 28 Feb 2023 16:29 |
Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2023 10:27 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/02698811231161582 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:196534 |