Effects of Single Prolonged Stress on Set Shifting Errors
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Authors
Solan, Elizabeth A.
Issue Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Single prolonged stress (SPS) is an animal model used to mimic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), where rats sequentially undergo three different stressors. SPS is known to cause
changes similar to PTSD in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Set
shifting is a cognitive task requiring switching from one previously reinforced strategy to a new
strategy, which involves the mPFC to successfully adjust to a set shift. An automated set shift
was completed, with rats tested on lever in operant boxes. It was expected that since SPS
diminishes mPFC function, rats that underwent SPS would be less successful than controls at set
shifting. Rats with SPS performed similarly to controls on initial acquisition of the rules,
indicating SPS did not cause any acquisition impairments. However, when it came to the set
shift, SPS rats made significantly more never reinforced errors. The never reinforced errors arc
those that do not follow the initial rule learned or the new rule of the set shift. This outcome
suggests SPS rats learn the new strategy more slowly, by trying a different strategy that they
have not learned before that is incorrect.
Description
v, 41 p.
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License
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