Classical conditioning to hypoxia using odors as conditioned stimuli in rats
Category
Journal Article
Authors
Nsegbe, E., Vardon, G., Dauger, S., Perruchet, P., Gaultier, C., Gallego, J.
Year
1998
Title
Classical conditioning to hypoxia using odors as conditioned stimuli in rats
Journal / book / conference
Behavioral Neuroscience
Abstract
The authors performed a differential conditioning experiment in 30 rats, using 2 odors as the conditioned stimuli (CS+ and CS-) and hypoxia (8% O-2) as the unconditioned stimulus. Vanillin was the CS+ and rose the CS- in half of the rats, and vice versa in the other half. Fifteen paired CS+/hypoxia trials and 15 CS- only trials were performed in random order, followed by 3 CS+ only and 3 CS- only trials to test for conditioning. The increase in ventilation from prestimulus levels averaged 116 +/- 85% in response to CSS versus 55 +/- 36% in response to CS-. This effect was supported by the significant Pre-Post Stimulus X CS Type interaction for this variable (p <.003). The data confirm the sensitivity of breathing to conditioning processes and also indirectly support the hypothesis that feedforward responses may complement feedback reflex pathways in respiratory homeostasis.
Issue
6
Volume
112
Pages
1393-1401