Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Martín Rubén Fernández | Email: martinferyaru@gmail.com
Martín Rubén Fernández, Lucas Touriño, Matias Serafini, Lucas Cuenya
1° Martin Fernadez
2° Matias Serafini
3° Lucas Cuenya
4° Lucas Touriño
Introduction: Previous data from our lab show that frustration from reward delays increases intake upon re-encounter and heightens motivation for the lost reinforcer. This may be due to changes in the reinforcer’s palatability (liking) or the value of reward expectation (wanting). Liking is assessed through the microstructure of consummatory behavior, with longer bursts of licking linked to higher hedonic value. Objective: To evaluate if increased intake from prior frustration alters liking. Method: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were food-deprived to 83% of their ad libitum weight. Dependent variables included intake in milliliters, goal tracking time (GTT), and burst duration. Three groups were exposed to a 32% sucrose solution for five 5-minute trials. On day six, the No-Delay group had immediate access, while Delay-10 and Delay-2 groups accessed it after 10 or 2 minutes of an empty bottle. On day seven, all had immediate access. This cycle repeated five times. Results: Delay-10 and Delay-2 animals showed greater GTT and intake compared to No-Delay. Re-encounter trials revealed longer burst durations in Delay-10 and Delay-2. Discussion: Increased intake following frustration may enhance the hedonic component of motivation, suggesting increased consumption might be driven by greater liking or hedonic value. Keywords: Intake; Frustration; Liking; Rat.