Fig. 5: Extending Ext-RP prevented the effects of overtraining.
From: Prolonged avoidance training exacerbates OCD-like behaviors in a rodent model
a Experimental groups receiving different durations of training for conditioning and Ext-RP phases (8d–4d, 20d–4d, and 20d–10d). b While all three groups showed equivalent levels of avoidance at the end of conditioning, 20d–4d showed impaired extinction and persistent avoidance replicating our earlier findings (Fig. 2). However, extending Ext-RP (20d–10d) reduced freezing and avoidance to levels resembling the 8d–4d group. c c-Fos analysis revealed a negative correlation between time on platform at Test and AI/LO and PL activity in overtrained rats, as well as a positive correlation between AI/LO and PL activity. This suggests that AI/LO inputs to PL may serve to prevent persistent avoidance following overtraining. Behavior analyses: 8d–4d group: n = 16; 20d–4d group: n = 18; 20d–10d group: n = 19. c-Fos analyses: 20d–4d group: n = 8 (AI/LO)−9 (PL); 20–10 group: n = 15. Conditioning data shown as average of the last day of conditioning, Ext-RP data shown as a block of the first three trials of the last day of Ext-RP and Test data shown as single trial. All data are shown as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ns non-significant.
