Impaired reversal learning in an animal model of anorexia nervosa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clinical investigations indicate that anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with impaired cognitive flexibility. Activity-based anorexia (ABA), a rodent behavioral model of AN, is characterized by compulsive wheel running associated with voluntary food restriction and progressive weight loss. The goal of this study was to test whether ABA is associated with impaired cognitive flexibility.

Methods

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to perform the attentional set-shifting test (ASST) to assess cognitive flexibility, including capacity for set-shifting and reversal learning. Rats were assigned to ABA or weight-loss paired control (WPC) conditions. Following baseline testing, the ABA group had access to food for 1h/d and access to running wheels 23h/d until 20% wei

SUBMITTER: Allen PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7041414 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature