Fig. 2: Chronic CORT impairs instrumental acquisition. | Translational Psychiatry

Fig. 2: Chronic CORT impairs instrumental acquisition.

From: Chronic corticosterone administration induces negative valence and impairs positive valence behaviors in mice

Fig. 2

a Vehicle (n = 10, both training conditions) and CORT (n = 15, both training conditions) mice were administered CORT or Vehicle (5 mg/kg/day) in their drinking water for 4 weeks prior to instrumental acquisition (Vehicle or CORT throughout training), or after instrumental acquisition (Vehicle or CORT after training). b Sessions to acquisition (criterion defined as consecutive sessions with ≥30 lever presses on both response levers) was assessed in Vehicle and CORT mice throughout or after treatment. CORT throughout training mice required more acquisition sessions to reach criterion compared to CORT after training (p = 0.003), and Vehicle throughout training (p = 0.035). c Responses were recorded throughout acquisition and were reduced by CORT treatment throughout training compared to CORT treatment after training (Day 1: p = 0.023, Days 2, 3, and 4: p < 0.001) and compared to Vehicle treatment throughout training on Days 3 (p < 0.001) and 4 (p = 0.029). Values plotted are mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001. Taken together, CORT throughout training inhibits instrumental acquisition, reducing lever presses during acquisition, and increasing sessions to reach criterion for acquisition.

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