Cognitive bias in rats is not influenced by oxytocin

Abstract

The effect of oxytocin on cognitive bias was investigated in rats in a modified conditioned

place preference paradigm. Fifteen male rats were trained to discriminate between

two different cue combinations, one paired with palatable foods (reward training), and

the other paired with unpalatable food (aversive training). Next, their reactions to two

ambiguous cue combinations were evaluated and their latency to contact the goal pot

recorded. Rats were injected with either oxytocin (OT) or saline with the prediction that

rats administered OT would display a shorter average latency to approach on ambiguous

trials. There was no significant difference between latencies to approach on ambiguous

trials compared to reward trials, but the rats were significantly slower on the aversive

compared to the ambiguous conditions. Oxytocin did not affect approach time; however,

it was unclear, after follow-up testing, whether the OT doses tested were sufficient

to produce the desired effects on cognitive bias. Future research should consider this

possibility.