Rodent Model of the Effect of beta-Adrenergic Agents on Creative Problem Solving (IN4-1.008)

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose is to develop a rodent model of creative problem solving and examine the effect of propranolol on performance. Background Previous research revealed benefit from β adrenergic antagonists in creative problem solving. However, animal model pharmacological studies have exclusively explored constrained problem solving (set shifting) tasks, where α-1 adrenergic and dopaminergic, but not β adrenergic effects have been found. To address this gap, we developed a novel unconstrained problem solving task in rodents, analogous to tasks recently utilized to examine creative problem solving in larger mammals, and examined the effect of propranolol. Design/Methods: Rats were food restricted, and then trained to dig for food in the three reward pots. They were then trained in odor discrimination and medium discrimination. Then, after administration of 1mg/kg propranolol or placebo, the rats were tested on simple discrimination, compound discrimination, reversal learning, and set shifting, using the 2 side reward pots. During these tasks, the digging chamber in the middle was blocked off. Then, the digging chamber was filled with sawdust, the entrance to the digging chamber was unblocked, and the reward was moved from the side pots to the pot at the end of the digging chamber, such that the rats were required to generate the novel solution to this problem by digging through the sawdust to access the reward pot. Results: Preliminary data revealed no effect of propranolol on any of the reversal learning or set shifting tasks. However, performance on propranolol was found to be better as compared to placebo for the novel digging task as assessed by time to completion (maximum 20 minutes allowed). Conclusions: This is, to our knowledge, the first rodent model of creative problem solving, allowing for the possibility of examination of the mechanism of action of this process in a way not possible with most other organisms. Supported by: Funded by Department of Radiology Mission Enhancement, University of Missouri School of Medicine (Beversdorf) and National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Neuroscience grant DBI-1062667 (University of Missouri). Disclosure: Dr. Beversdorf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hecht has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hampton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schachtman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Will has nothing to disclose.