Laura Ridgley

• Bsc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
• Assessing the abuse liability of olive oil in rodents

The aim of the project is to characterise further the reinforcing effects of olive oil by training rats to lever press for small volumes of olive oil under various operant schedules of reinforcement (fixed and progressive ratios) and to examine extinction of behaviour by removal of the olive oil.  To further understand the motivational processes behind this reinforced behaviour, pharmacological tests with dopamine receptor antagonists will inform if this behaviour shares the same neuropharmacological substrates as used by other abused substances (cocaine, heroin, nicotine etc) and thus will provide a useful model of dietary fat intake.

Funding Source: Wellcome Trust