title: Age-related differences in the anticipation of future rewards.
abstract: The present study examined the anticipation of future reward in 7-mo- and 26-mo-old Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats. Young and old rats were divided randomly and assigned into one of two conditions. In the Contrast Condition, subjects were given a water solution containing 2% sucrose for 3 min followed immediately by a water solution containing 32% sucrose for 3 min. In the No-Contrast Condition, subjects were given a water solution containing 2% sucrose for 3 min followed immediately by a water solution containing 2% sucrose for 3 min. Across 10 days of testing in the Contrast Condition, young rats showed significantly less intake of the less preferred 2% sucrose solution, whereas old rats showed increased intake of the 2% sucrose solution. Young rats showed a significant increase in intake of the preferred 32% sucrose solution compared to aged rats across the 10-day testing period with the exception of days 8-10 where intake did not differ between groups. In the No-Contrast Condition, there were no significant differences between young and old rats, with both groups consuming significantly more of the first 2% solution than the second 2% solution. Therefore, these data suggest that age-related changes may impair the ability to anticipate future rewards.
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States.
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Maasberg
authors: Laura E
authors: LE
authors: Shelley
authors: Enrique I
authors: EI
authors: Gracian
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Gilbert
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