| Vasopressin is a neuropeptide that may influence behavioral and cognitive processes. The Brattleboro rat is a mutant variation of the Long Evans strain that exhibits no circulating vasopressin, resulting in a physiological state analogous to diabetes insipidus. Behaviorally, Brattleboro rats exhibit diminished fear conditioning and impairments in memory retention and sensory gating. The present study sought to further evaluate the cognitive profile of rats with vasopressin deficiency by studying attention in male and female Brattleboro rats, Long Evans rats, and heterozygous rats using a five-choice serial reaction time task. Sessions to meet criteria were significantly greater in the Brattleboro rats than Long Evans and heterozygotic rats; and, males required significantly more sessions than Long Evans and heterozygotic rats. Female Brattleboro rats displayed significantly poorer attention accuracy compared to Long Evans and heterozygotic rats. Premature responses were significantly greater in Brattleboro rats than Long Evans and heterozygotic rats. Taken together, the present findings add to previous literature suggesting that vasopressin deficiency diminishes cognitive functioning. |
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