Consummatory successive negative contrast in rats: Assessment through orofacial taste reactivity responses

This study addressed in male adult Wistar rats the hedonic impact of incentive devaluation in an adapted cSNC protocol. Specifically, the orofacial responses to a sucrose solution infused into the oral cavity were measured. It was observed that animals exposed to reward devaluation, from a 32% to a 4% sucrose solution, showed a decrease in the duration of appetitive responses (tongue protrusions, mouth movements, paw licks) as compared with subjects which only experienced the low concentration of sucrose. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that incentive devaluation in a cSNC not only results in reduced intake, but also in a reduction in the hedonic value or palatability of the devalued reward.
Source: Learning and Motivation - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research