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  • Title: Accumbens activity during a multiple schedule for water and sucrose reinforcement in rats.
    Author: Roop RG, Hollander JA, Carelli RM.
    Journal: Synapse; 2002 Mar 15; 43(4):223-6. PubMed ID: 11835516.
    Abstract:
    Electrophysiological recording procedures were used to examine nucleus accumbens (Acb) cell firing during operant responding for water reinforcement vs. a highly palatable sweet solution (0.6 M sucrose). Rats (n = 8) were trained on a multiple schedule to press one lever for water (fixed ratio 1, FR1; 15 min) followed by a 20-sec timeout period (chamber dark, levers retracted), and extension of a second spatially distinct lever that the animals pressed for sucrose reinforcement (FR1; 15 min). Of 84 cells, 55 neurons (65%) displayed one of three types of patterned discharges (increases or decreases in firing rate) immediately before or following the sucrose- or water-reinforced response. The major finding of this report was that the majority of these neurons (36/55 cells; 65%) showed similar types of neuronal firing patterns across the two reinforcer conditions. The remaining cells (19/55; 35%) exhibited patterned activity specific to responding for one reinforcer only (water or sucrose). These findings are discussed with respect to how Acb neurons encode goal-directed behaviors for "natural" reinforcers including food, water, and a palatable sweet solution.
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