The participation of pharyngo-oesophageal thermoreception in the formation of water-reinforced instrumental conditioned reflex.
In 79 rats with chronically implanted gastric tubes or thermodes the participation of pharyngo-oesophageal thermoreception was investigated in the process of development of a water-reinforced conditioned instrumental reflex. It was found that only cooling of the pharynx and oesophagus was an effective stimulus reinforcing instrumental conditioning. The conditioned reflex could not be developed when the reinforcing stimulus was the sensation of warmth in the throat and oesophagus, and gastrointestinal interoception. It is suggested in the discussion that cold thermoreception in the area of the throat and oesophagus has acquired its reinforcing character through conditioning.
D000818:Animals; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013696:Temperature; D013823:Thermoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D013894:Thirst / Q000502:physiology