Are all reinforcers the same? A memory consolidation perspective

“记忆增强”的假设产生了三个可检验的预测。 首先，不同的记忆强化剂应该通过对记忆巩固的重叠神经化学系统的作用来加强行为。 第二，由于这些神经化学系统是重叠的，不同的神经系统之间应该存在行为上的相互作用。最后，在哺乳动物的大脑中，相互作用的神经化学系统汇聚成记忆巩固的主要“途径”。* * 为了测试这些预测，将训练Sprague-Dawley大鼠以将特定动作（在自我施用期间按压杠杆）或环境刺激（在位置调节期间的白色室）与各种释放剂的递送相关联。 在训练之后，这些关联的记忆将通过评估学习动作的持续性或在没有干扰器的情况下接近环境刺激的频率来测量。 * * 研究1 - 9将采用药理学和神经生物学方法研究糖精、果糖、葡萄糖、羟考酮和可卡因参与的记忆巩固系统。 这些药物之所以被选中，是因为尽管它们对身体和大脑有不同的影响，但它们都是由老鼠自己给药的。 这些“糖果”将通过口服和静脉注射进行自我管理。在研究10中，将在双重自我给药程序中训练大鼠，并在存在和不存在一种或两种抑制剂的情况下，在各种测试期间表征行为相互作用。 最后，研究11 - 13将采用神经药理学方法探索多巴胺和去甲肾上腺素之间的相互作用;这两个系统可能有助于所有强化刺激激活的记忆巩固途径。* * 这个创新的研究项目调查了心理学和神经科学中长期存在的基本问题。 在记忆巩固的背景下，还没有系统的探索不同的记忆巩固剂产生的神经和行为效应。 而且，解决各种学习者如何促进学习的问题，不仅是理解行为的核心，而且与人类健康直接相关（例如，肥胖和物质依赖）。

The "memory enhancing" hypothesis of reinforcers generates three testable predictions. First, different reinforcers should strengthen behavior through actions on overlapping neurochemical systems of memory consolidation. Second, because these neurochemical systems overlap, there should be behavioural interactions between different reinforcers. Finally, in the mammalian brain, interacting neurochemical systems converge into a primary "pathway" of memory consolidation. ******To test these predictions, Sprague-Dawley rats will be trained to associate particular actions (pressing a lever during self-administration) or environmental stimuli (a white chamber during place conditioning), with the delivery of various reinforcers. Following training, the memories of these associations will be measured by assessing the persistence of the learned actions, or the frequency of approach to the environmental stimuli, in the absence of reinforcers. ******Studies 1-9 will employ pharmacological and neurobiological methods to study systems of memory consolidation engaged by saccharin, fructose, glucose, oxycodone and cocaine. These reinforcers have been selected because, although they have different effects on the body and on the brain, they are all self-administered by rats. The "sweets" will be self-administered intraorally and the drugs intravenously. In Study 10, rats will be trained in a dual self-administration procedure, and behavioural interactions will be characterized during various tests in the presence and absence of one or both reinforcers. Finally, Studies 11-13 will employ neuro-pharmacological methods to explore the interaction between dopamine and noradrenaline; two systems that likely contribute to a pathway of memory consolidation activated by all reinforcing stimuli. ******This innovative program of research investigates long-standing, basic questions in psychology and neuroscience. There have been no systematic explorations of the neural and behavioral effects produced by different reinforcers in the context of memory consolidation. And, addressing the question of how various reinforcers promote learning, is not only central to the understanding of behavior, but it is also of direct relevance to human health (e.g., obesity and substance dependence).**