Impaired discrimination learning in mice lacking the NMDA receptor NR2A subunit.
N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate certain forms of synaptic plasticity and learning. We used a touchscreen system to assess NR2A subunit knockout mice (KO) for (1) pairwise visual discrimination and reversal learning and (2) acquisition and extinction of an instrumental response requiring no pairwise discrimination. NR2A KO mice exhibited significantly retarded discrimination learning. Performance on reversal was impaired in NR2A KO mice during the learning phase of the task; with no evidence of heightened perseverative responses. Acquisition and extinction of an instrumental behavior requiring no pairwise discrimination was normal in NR2A KO mice. The present findings demonstrate a significant and selective deficit in discrimination learning following loss of NR2A.
Brigman
Jonathan L
JL
Section on Behavioral Science and Genetics, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. brigmanj@mail.nih.gov
Feyder
Michael
M
Saksida
Lisa M
LM
Bussey
Timothy J
TJ
Mishina
Masayoshi
M
Holmes
Andrew
A
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000172:deficiency*; D012193:Reversal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate