Conditioning-specific reflex modification of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) nictitating membrane response is sensitive to context.
Conditioning-specific reflex modification occurs when an unconditioned response is modified in the absence of the conditioned stimulus as a result of pairings of the conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. In two experiments, we assessed conditioning-specific reflex modification in either a novel context (Experiment 1) or a context different from, but equally familiar in relation to, the training context (Experiment 2). Conditioning-specific reflex modification did not demonstrate sensitivity to a novel context but did demonstrate sensitivity to a change in familiar context. The data cannot be explained by unconditioned stimulus preexposure, overtraining, or context insensitivity. The results suggest that conditioning-specific reflex modification models normal stress and may be used to evaluate theories of and treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Schreurs
Bernard G
BG
Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, P.O. Box 9302, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. bschreurs@hsc.wvu.edu
Gonzalez-Joekes
Jimena
J
Smith-Bell
Carrie A
CA
D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012018:Reflex; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*