The role of D1-dependent dopaminergic mechanisms in the frontal cortex in the rat latent response

The effects of microinjections of D1 selective dopaminergic substances into the medial frontal cortex (MFC) on information storage and proactive interference during delayed (the delay in 3 s) and non-delayed choice in Y-maze were studied. Bilateral microinjection of D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (1 nM, 1 microliter) impaired both delayed and non-delayed choice. In contrast, microinjections of D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 (1 nM) into the MFC significantly improved the delayed performance and did not influence the non-delayed choice. The effects of proactive interference caused by SCH 23390 and SKF 38393 injections were more pronounced in delayed choice condition than in the non-delayed task. Spatial bias in animal behavior was revealed after the SCH 23390 injections: during erroneous choices rats more frequently turned in the same direction as preferred in a rotation test. The results suggest that impairment of delayed performance in Y-maze observed under the blockade of D1-mediated neurotransmission in the MFC occurs due to enhancement of the processes of proactive interference and disinhibition of the spatial set.