Assessing the Contribution of the Glutamatergic System to Risky Choice

Abstract

Risky choice is characteristic of several psychological disorders, including addiction. Using the risky decision task (RDT), rats had the opportunity to choose a small, safe food reward or a large food, risky reward associated with a foot shock. To understand the neurochemical processes of risky choice as assessed in the RDT, rats received three NMDA receptor drugs: MK-801, Ro 63-1908, and CGS 19755. MK-801 hindered the rats’ ability to discriminate reinforcer magnitude, making it difficult for them to differentiate between the two presented options. Furthermore, CGS increased the rats’ risky behavior, while Ro 63 decreased risky choice in male rats.