Sustaining temporal attention prevents habit expression during operant learning in rats

Ziqiao Lin,Yoshio Iguchi,Hiromi Nishikawa,Mitsuru Kikuchi,Shigenobu Toda,Akira Iwanami

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67304-y

Ziqiao Lin, Yoshio Iguchi + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67304-y

Copy DOI

Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Jun 25, 2020
Citations: 1	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Kanazawa University, Showa University

Abstract

As repeated operant performance promotes the transition from goal-directed action to habitual response, it appears that action-outcome contingency learning precedes and is necessary for the transition. Meanwhile, it is known that operant performance under a fixed interval (FI) schedule, in which the timing of reinforcement is predictable, is resistant to habit. However, the reason why the FI schedule prevents habit expression remains unclear. We reasoned that sustained attention for monitoring a certain interval might require a goal-directed process and prevent the transition. To verify this hypothesis, rats underwent FI schedule operant training while auditory cues were provided in a manner either contingent or non-contingent with the timing of lever pressing to obtain a reward. The subjects developed a habit with contingent cues, but not with either non-contingent cues or no cues. Overall, we conclude that the release from sustained attentional burden allows the expression of habit. (147 words)

Highlights

As repeated operant performance promotes the transition from goal-directed action to habitual response, it appears that action-outcome contingency learning precedes and is necessary for the transition
The present study showed consistent with our original assumption, cues provided during training under a fixed interval (FI) 60-s schedule promoted habit expression in rats when they were contingent with the timing of reinforcement
The significance of attention in goal-directed action has been implicated in habitual action[13,14]

Summary

Introduction

As repeated operant performance promotes the transition from goal-directed action to habitual response, it appears that action-outcome contingency learning precedes and is necessary for the transition. We reasoned that sustained attention for monitoring a certain interval might require a goal-directed process and prevent the transition. To verify this hypothesis, rats underwent FI schedule operant training while auditory cues were provided in a manner either contingent or non-contingent with the timing of lever pressing to obtain a reward. At the goal-directed stage, a subject attempts to learn the association (contingency) of action (A) with its outcome (O), known as A–O contingency In both rodents and humans, this associative learning is acquired through the dorsomedial striatum and cortical areas that project into the striatal subregion[3,4]. Once a subject is released from the attentional burden, their action would become habitual, even under the FI schedule, and that the presence of attentional (cognitive) burden is a rate-limiting factor for the transition from goal-directed action to the habitual response

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion