Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4335282 Journal of Neuroscience Methods 2011 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

Rats running in their natural habitat monitor the immediate environment with their micro- and macrovibrissae as if reading Braille. These sensory inputs can serve as a cue to change their ongoing motor patterns, for instance to avoid obstacles. To mimic this behavior in a laboratory setting we present a novel behavioral test design. It includes a self-controlled stimulus presentation with sensory discrimination acting as a cue to redirect motor behavior. To acquire the final paradigm, rats undergo a sequenced training protocol. Extracellular neuronal activity was recorded during task performance in the final paradigm. Together with this behavioral test box we present a flexible, easy to build and affordable modular stimulus control system.

► Presentation of a novel method to study rat sensorimotor behavior. ► Design of a rotating drum serving continuous stimulation of the rat vibrissae. ► A flexible and affordable stimulus control system drives the complex protocol.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Neuroscience Neuroscience (General)
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