The impact of systemic blockade of dopamine receptors on the acquisition of two-way active avoidance in male rats.

Active threat avoidance is a core aspect of adaptive and maladaptive behavior, yet its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Prior studies concluded that pharmacologically blocking dopaminergic receptors (DRs) disrupted avoidance acquisition, but it remains unclear whether such effects on learning persist during a drug-free follow-up test. To assess the involvement of D1R and D2R in avoidance acquisition, we conducted two experiments.

A history of avoidance does not impact extinction learning in male rats.

Pervasive avoidance is one of the central symptoms of all anxiety-related disorders. In treatment, avoidance behaviors are typically discouraged because they are assumed to maintain anxiety. Yet, it is not clear if engaging in avoidance is always detrimental.

The effects of stress on avoidance in rodents: An unresolved matter.

In the face of a possible threat, a range of physiological (e.g., increased heart rate) and behavioral (e.