Abstract
The TRPC4 ion channel is expressed extensively in corticolimbic and a subpopulation of midbrain dopamine neurons. While TRPC4 knockout (KO) rats exhibit reduced sociability and social exploration, little is known about the role of TRPC4 in motivation and learning. To identify a function for TRPC4 channels in learning processes we tested TRPC4 KO and normal wild type (WT) rats. TRPC4 KO and WT rats exhibited no differences in Y--maze learning or simple discrimination learning. Furthermore, on a more complex serial reversal shift task designed to assess strategic learning where the reward and non--reward cues were repeatedly reversed between training sessions both TRPC4 KO and WT rats performed equally well. Finally, we found no performance differences when using a conditional reversal shift task where a tone signals the reversal of reward and non-reward cues within sessions. These data suggest that although TRPC4 channels may play a role in social interaction/anxiety they exert a minimal role in simple and complex strategic learning.
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Collins, M., Drish, A., Swenson, L. et al. Deletion of the trpc4 gene and its role in simple and complex strategic learning. Nat Prec (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/npre.2012.6929.1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/npre.2012.6929.1