| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6267807 | Journal of Neuroscience Methods | 2016 | 8 Pages |
â¢An automated apparatus is developed for controlled experiments for small primates.â¢Owl monkeys learned a visually-cued task using the apparatus.â¢Neural recordings show direction tuning of M1 neurons.
BackgroundSeveral species of the New World monkeys have been used as experimental models in biomedical and neurophysiological research. However, a method for controlled arm reaching tasks has not been developed for these species.New methodWe have developed a fully automated, pneumatically driven, portable, and reconfigurable experimental apparatus for arm-reaching tasks suitable for these small primates.ResultsWe have utilized the apparatus to train two owl monkeys in a visually-cued arm-reaching task. Analysis of neural recordings demonstrates directional tuning of the M1 neurons.Comparison with existing method(s)Our apparatus allows automated control, freeing the experimenter from manual experiments.ConclusionThe presented apparatus provides a valuable tool for conducting neurophysiological research on New World monkeys.
