In three experiments, the nature of interaction between multiple memory systems in rats solving a variation spatial task water maze was investigated. Throughout training were able to find submerged platform at fixed distance and direction from an intramaze landmark by learning landmark-goal vector. Extramaze cues also available for standard place learning, or “cognitive mapping,” but these valid only within each session, as position moved around pool sessions together with landmark. Animals...

The effects of stimulus salience and cue validity in the overshadowing geometric features an enclosed arena by discrete landmarks were investigated rats using water maze paradigm.Experiment 1 established that a rhomboid-shaped acute corner was more salient than obtuse for rats.In subsequent two experiments, trained to find submerged platform either or corner.In addition angle, also signalled concurrent presence landmark which valid Experiment 2. resulted overall geometry learning, effect...

While palatability depends on the properties of particular foods, it is also determined by prior experience, suggesting that memory affects hedonic value a substance. Here, we report two procedures affect in mice: negative contrast and flavour habituation. A microstructure analysis licking behaviour was employed, with lick cluster size (the number licks made quick succession before pause) used as measure palatability. It first confirmed increased monotonically function sucrose concentration,...

Abstract The original provocative formulation of the ‘geometric module’ hypothesis was based on a working-memory task in rats which suggested that spontaneous reorientation behavior is solely environmental geometry and impervious to featural cues. Here, we retested claim by returning navigation with domestic chicks, using single prominent cue (a striped wall) within rectangular arena. Experiments 1 2 tested influence features separately. In Experiment 1, found both chicks used compute...

Abstract Whether animals represent environmental geometry in a global and/or local way has been the subject of recent debate. We applied transfer search paradigm between rectangular‐ and kite‐shaped arenas to examine performance human adults (using virtual environments) children 2.5–3.5 years real arenas). Adults showed robust congruent corner arena, following training rectangular‐shaped arena two paradigms modeled on those used with rats young respectively. In contrast, no evidence search,...

In three experiments, rats were trained to locate a submerged platform in one of the base corners triangular arena above each which was suspended two distinctive landmarks. Experiment 1, it established that these landmarks differed their salience by differential control they gained over behavior after training compound with geometric cues. 2, shown locating beneath less salient landmark potentiated learning based on geometry compared for provided ambiguous information about location...

Theories of learning differ in whether they assume that reflects the strength an association between memories or symbolic encoding statistical properties events. We provide novel evidence for informational variables by demonstrating sensitivity to time and number is dissociable. Whereas responding normal mice was dependent on reinforcement rate, lacked GluA1 AMPA receptor subunit insensitive rate and, instead, times a cue had been paired with reinforcement. This suggests necessary weighting...

We investigate in this feasibility study whether specific lip movements increase prenatally when hearing a particular sound. hypothesised that fetuses would produce more mouth resembling those required to make the sound stimulus they heard (i.e. stretch) compared with no-sound control group who no auditory stimuli. Secondly, we predicted similar number of unrelated pucker) as fetuses. In an observational study, 17 were scanned twice at 32 and 36 weeks gestation, two different types recorded....

Abstract Classic research has shown a division in the neuroanatomical structures that support flexible (e.g., short‐cutting) and habitual familiar route following) navigational behavior, with hippocampal–caudate systems associated former putamen latter. There is, however, disagreement about whether neural involved navigation process particular forms of spatial information, such as associations between constellations cues forming cognitive map, versus single landmark‐action associations, or...

Abstract The GluA1 subunit of the AMPA receptor has been implicated in schizophrenia. While is important for cognition, it not clear what role hedonic responses that are relevant to negative symptoms disorders such as Here, we tested mice lack ( Gria1 −/− mice) on consumption sucrose solutions using a licking microstructure analysis. deletion drastically reduced palatability (as measured by mean lick cluster size) across range concentrations. Although initial rates were reduced, measures...

Conditioning of a target cue is blocked when it occurs in compound with another (blocking cue) that has already received conditioning. Although blocking appetitive conditioning commonly used rodents as test selective learning, been demonstrated rarely mice. In order to investigate the conditions result mice two studies tested effect extent prior training on Mice either 80 or 200 trials A control group only training. Experiment 1 assessed ability visual block an auditory cue. Exposure context...

Some theories of spatial learning predict that associative rules apply under only limited circumstances. For example, based on a boundary has been claimed to be immune cue competition effects because information is the basis for formation cognitive map, whilst landmark does not involve mapping. This referred as type hypothesis. However, it also stability prerequisite meaning whichever was perceived stable would enter map and thus competition, while unstable cues will subject regardless type....

NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity has been proposed to be important for encoding of memories. Consistent with this hypothesis, the non-competitive receptor antagonist, MK-801, found impair performance on tests memory. Interpretation some these findings has, however, complicated by fact that drug-state animals differed during and Therefore, it is possible MK-801 may result in state-dependent retrieval or expression memory rather than actually impairing itself. We tested hypothesis...

Consumption of a high concentration sucrose can have either detrimental, negative contrast effect or facilitatory, preference conditioning on subsequent consumption low sucrose, depending the cues that are present during consumption. The role context and flavor in determining these effects were studied using analysis microstructure licking mice. Exposure to followed by exposure resulted transient reduction mean lick cluster size, which was dependent (Experiment 1). However, there no change...

The duration of a conditioned stimulus (CS) is key determinant Pavlovian conditioning. Rate estimation theory (RET) proposes that reinforcement rate calculated over cumulative exposure to cue and the cue, relative background rate, determines speed acquisition responding. Consequently, RET predicts shorter-duration cues require fewer trials than longer-duration due difference in rates. We tested this prediction by reanalysing results previously published experiment. Mice received appetitive...

Consumption of foods results in a transient reduction hedonic value that influences the extent and nature feeding behavior. The time course this effect, however, is poorly specified. In an initial experiment, using analysis microstructure licking mice we found consumption sucrose led to rapid lick cluster size, measure palatability, which recovered after 10 min, but reemerged 60min consumption. We then replicated finding size reduced 60min, not 10min, under conditions number potential...

Abstract The hippocampus has been implicated in temporal learning. Plasticity within the requires NMDA receptor‐dependent glutamatergic neurotransmission. We tested prediction that hippocampal receptors are required for learning about time by testing mice lack postembryonal NMDARs CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) subfields on three different appetitive procedures. conditional knockout ( Grin1 ΔDCA1 ) showed normal sensitivity to cue duration, responding at a higher level short duration than...

Conditioned stimulus (CS) duration is a determinant of conditioned responding, with increases in leading to reductions response rates.The CS effect has been proposed reflect sensitivity the reinforcement rate across cumulative exposure CS, suggesting that delay from onset cue not crucial.Here, we compared effects and on Pavlovian appetitive conditioning mice.In Experiment 1, influence timing responding was removed by making cues variable trials.Mice trained were sensitive differences similar...

The GluA1 subunit of the AMPA receptor has been implicated in anhedonia. Mice that lack (Gria1 knockout mice) show reduced lick cluster size, a measure palatability feeding behaviour. This deficit may reflect role for encoding hedonic value palatable substances or instead behavioural expression value. We tested by assessing sensitivity to changes rewarding property sucrose as consequence negative/positive contrast effects female mice. During training, on half days consumption flavour (CS+)...

ABSTRACT This paper summarizes the potential use of a fine-grained fetal facial scoring system. The this coding system is discussed in relation to maternal health as well effects on development, including smoking pregnancy and stress. It argued that proposed movement analysis might lend itself support an increase behaviors. Furthermore, we suggest coding, although labor intensive, detect subtle but important differences which are missed by more general observations. Finally, advantages...

Theories of parallel memory systems suggest that flexible wayfinding (e.g., shortcutting) requires knowledge about the spatial structure an environment, whereas automatic route-following) does not. Distal landmarks have widely been assumed to promote learning a representation environment and, thus, through it. There is, however, little behavioural evidence corroborate this assumption. In three experiments reported here, participants learned circuitous route large-scale virtual garden maze,...

Previous studies involving birds and humans have identified spatial proximity as a source of overshadowing between landmarks in navigation. In Herrera et al. (2024), subjects were trained an open environment to find hidden goal with reference cross-shaped array four placed at various distances from it. Critically, two the (i.e., target landmarks) that common among groups whereas remaining either proximal or distal them. Landmarks near overshadowed competed with) learning about further ones,...