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PubMed2003

Assessment of spatial learning abilities of mice in a new circular maze.

In the present study, we tested the spatial learning behavior of four different mouse strains (129/Sv, BALB/c, C57BL and Swiss) in a newly developed circular maze. The maze was based on the circular Barnes maze, which was initially developed for rats. Since mice do not readily enter holes in floor, additional reinforcers (positive and negative) or pretraining procedures have been used to train the animals. Because these methods are not always desirable, we examined whether mice are more willing to enter escape holes (12), which were located in the rim of the apparatus. C57BL mice appeared to improve their performance on three different measures of spatial learning: latency to find escape hole, distance to escape hole and errors (visit to other holes). The other strains also improved their performance although this was only seen for one parameter (i.e. 129/Sv and BALB/c on latency, and Swiss on distance). When the animals were trained to find another location, it was found that only the performance of the C57BL mice was transiently impaired. The C57BL mice were also very efficient in improving their performance in a repeated acquisition paradigm (six trials per day on four successive days). Applying a probe trial procedure, a clear preference for the goal location was found. These findings indicate that these mice used a spatial search strategy. Although this circular maze can be used as an additional tool to assess spatial learning in (genetically modified) mice, it is noted that strain differences in spatial learning seem to be independent of task. Further, our data with different strains indicate that different measures of behavior should be evaluated to assess the spatial learning performance of mice.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2007

Spatial selectivity and theta phase precession in CA1 interneurons.

Traditionally, most of the information processing of neural networks is thought to be carried out by excitatory cells. Likewise, recent evidence for temporal coding comes from the study of the detailed firing patterns of excitatory neurons. In the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus, pyramidal cells discharge selectively when the animal is in specific locations in its environment, and exhibit a precise relationship with the ongoing rhythmic activity of the network (phase precession). We demonstrate that during a spatial exploratory behavior on a linear track, inhibitory interneurons also show spatial selectivity and phase precession dynamics. We found that the firing rate of interneurons is modulated reliably up and down around an ongoing baseline activity level for specific locations in the environment, producing robust place-specific increases or decreases in discharge. On some sections of the track, the range of theta phases shifts progressively to earlier parts of the theta cycle as the rat advances, so that a negative correlation between phase and position could be demonstrated. Unlike pyramidal cells, phase and rate were not strongly correlated. We discuss the influence of the intrinsic firing properties of interneurons on a model of phase precession, as well as the influence of the detailed shape of the inhibitory oscillation. These results indicate that spatial selectivity and phase precession in CA1 are not properties restricted to pyramidal cells. Rather, they may be a more general expression of a common interaction between the different inputs impinging on both excitatory and inhibitory cells in CA1 and the intrinsic characteristics of those cells. Furthermore, they suggest that the role of interneurons may extend beyond a global damping of the network by participating in a finely-tuned local processing with the pyramidal cells.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1988

The role of cortical sympathetic ingrowth in the behavioral effects of nucleus basalis magnocellularis lesions.

Following cholinergic denervation of the neocortex by nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) lesions, peripheral sympathetic fibers grow into the neocortex. Two experiments were performed to determine the behavioral effects of this neuronal rearrangement. Group I animals underwent training on a standard radial-8-arm maze task, while Group II animals learned a modified version (i.e. 4 arms baited). Following acquisition, NBM lesions were performed. Animals with lesions but without sympathetic ingrowth performed consistently better in both behavioral paradigms, than animals with NBM lesions and sympathetic ingrowth. These studies suggest that cortical sympathetic ingrowth can alter behavior and is detrimental to the learning of a spatial memory paradigm.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1992

Creative musical behavior and sex hormones: musical talent and spatial ability in the two sexes.

Creative musical behavior, musical intelligence, and spatial ability were investigated in relation to salivary testosterone (T). In a cross-sectional study with 117 adults and in an 8-yr longitudinal study with 120 adolescents, composers, instrumentalists, and nonmusicians of both sexes were compared by analyses of variance. Results indicate that an optimal T range may exist for the expression of creative musical behavior. This range may be at the bottom of normal male T range and at the top of normal female T range. In addition, musicians were found to attain significantly higher spatial test scores than nonmusicians, both, in an 8-yr-period of adolescent development and in adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Transcending the "here": the effect of spatial distance on social judgment.

Construal level theory proposes that increasing the reported spatial distance of events produces judgments that reflect abstract, schematic representations of the events. Across 4 experiments, the authors examined the impact of spatial distance on construal-dependent social judgments. Participants structured behavior into fewer, broader units (Study 1) and increasingly attributed behavior to enduring dispositions rather than situational constraints (Study 2) when the behavior was spatially distant rather than near. Participants reported that typical events were more likely and atypical events less likely when events were more spatially distant (Study 3). They were also less likely to extrapolate from specific cases that deviated from general trends when making predictions about more spatially distant events (Study 4). Implications for social judgment are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Differences in vulnerability and susceptibility to dexamphetamine in Nijmegen high and low responders to novelty: a dose-effect analysis of spatio-temporal programming of behaviour.

Susceptibility to behavioural effects of dexamphetamine (0.5-2.0 mg/kg, SC) was analyzed in Nijmegen high responders to novelty (HR) and Nijmegen low responders to novelty (LR), using an automated ethological analysis. The main results were that, first, dexamphetamine was more toxic in HR than LR: 5.0 mg/kg dexamphetamine was lethal in 75% HR, respectively, 25% LR. Second, dexamphetamine had effects in HR at doses far lower than in LR: a dose of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg dexamphetamine was already sufficient to produce ceiling effects in HR, whereas a minimum dose of 2.0 mg/kg dexamphetamine was required to reach effects of a similar magnitude in LR. Third, the behavioural responses to 2.0 mg/kg dexamphetamine did not differ between HR and LR. These data show that HR are both more vulnerable and more susceptible to the toxic and behavioural effects of intermediate doses of dexamphetamine than LR. It is concluded that knowledge acquired previously about the neurochemical differences between Nijmegen HR (APO-SUS) and Nijmegen LR (APO-UNSUS) rats can be used to analyze further the mechanisms of action underlying individual-specific differences in drug abuse in animals and man.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Selective information use and perseveration in the search behavior of infants and young children.

Two experiments examined the early development of selective information use in search. The first experiment tested 9- and 16-month-olds on a modification of Piaget's Stage IV object permanence task. It examined infants' use of information from previous experiences with an object (prior information) and from the most recent hiding (current information) to locate a hidden object. In the second experiment, 2-, 2 1/2-, and 4-year-old children received these same sources of information along with new forms of prior and current information: information about the typical locations of objects (location specificity) and verbal information. No systematic perseveration was observed at 9 months, although previous findings related to perseveration were replicated. Perseveration was found at 16 months, but there was also evidence of selectivity at that age. When errors occurred, they tended to be to the prior location, but they were infrequent in comparison to correct searches at the current location. The preschoolers, while continuing to show perseveration, were more consistently selective than the infants. They also showed considerable generality in extending their selectivity to new sources of information.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Effects of temperature and social interactions on huddling behavior in Mus musculus.

Huddling behavior in grouped house mice (Mus musculus) was observed at two ambient temperatures, and in groups containing one or both sexes. Increased huddling was observed in all sex combinations at the lower ambient temperature. The differences observed between groups varied with temperature: in general, male mice were more likely to alter their behavior in response to temperature and social situation, while the behavior of females was more consistent. The results are discussed in relation to the competing effects of thermoregulatory demand and Darwinian fitness.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

'Looping'-an exploration mechanism in a dark open field.

The behavior of Tristram's jird (a species of gerbil) in an illuminated open field resembled that of other rodents, comprising round trips to a home base and alternating between periods of progression (locomoting) and of stopping. In this study, we compared the characteristics of exploration in a dark arena with exploration by the same individuals in a lit arena. In the dark arena, stopping episodes were brief and fewer, suggesting almost continuous locomotion by the rodents. The clear distinction between progression and stopping that had characterized locomotion in an illuminated arena, thus diminished in the dark. There was also no apparent home base in the dark and traveling consisted in moving in a circular path, closing a loop to a recently traveled place that varied from one loop to the next. Locomotion in the dark may thus be regarded as a set of loops (round trips) to a continuously shifting home base, whereas with lights on the round trips converge to a home base using visible environmental landmarks. We suggest that a similar looping mechanism may be applicable to the behavior of hippocampal rats displaying hyperactivity and diversified locomotion, reminiscent of that seen in jirds in a dark arena.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Asymmetrical participation of the left and right hippocampus for representing environmental geometry in homing pigeons.

Control, right and left HF lesioned homing pigeons (Columba livia) were trained to locate a goal in one corner of a rectangular enclosure with a distinctive feature cue. Probe tests revealed that all groups were able to encode in parallel geometric (enclosure shape) and feature information, and in the absence of one of them, they could us the other to locate the goal. However, left HF lesioned pigeons learned the task at a faster rate, and when the geometric and feature information were set in conflict, they relied more on the feature cue compared to control and right HF lesioned pigeons. It was also found that pigeons, independent of group, trained to a goal adjacent to the feature cue learned the task in fewer sessions and relied more on feature information compared to pigeons trained to a goal opposite the feature cue. The latter group relied more on geometric information. The results support the hypothesis that the left HF plays a more important role in the representation of a goal location with respect to environmental shape/geometry. We further propose that the observed functional asymmetry can be explained by the lateralized properties of the pigeon tectofugal visual system.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Effects of position and flock size on vigilance and foraging behaviour of the scaled dove Columbina squammata.

Amongst the benefits of foraging in flocks are the enhancement of food finding and predation avoidance. Characteristics such as size, individual position, as well as position and distance between members are factors that may influence vigilance and foraging. In a study using scaled doves, Columbina squammata, I observed a negative correlation between group size and vigilance and a positive correlation with time spent foraging, which suggests a reduction of costs and an increase of benefits as a consequence of larger group sizes. Individual position in the flock appeared to be an important factor in this trade-off. Peripheral individuals were more vigilant and foraged less than central ones, suggesting an edge effect in flocks of this species. The clustering of conspecifics may be related with fast transmission of information. Overall, aggressive interactions were rarely observed; when registered, they occurred mostly in larger groups, suggesting an effect of interference competition. These results imply that predation may be a strong pressure on the scaled dove's flock formation and behaviour.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Animal navigation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animal Migration↗
PubMed2004

Pigeon homing along highways and exits.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal observations and early airplane and helicopter tracking studies suggest that pigeons sometimes follow large roads and use landmarks as turning points during their homeward journey. However, technical limitations in tracking pigeon routes have prevented proof. RESULTS: Here, we present experimental and statistical evidence for this strategy from the analysis of 216 GPS-recorded pigeon tracks over distances up to 50 km. Experienced pigeons released from familiar sites during 3 years around Rome, Italy, were significantly attracted to highways and a railway track running toward home, in many cases without anything forcing them to follow such guide-rails. Birds often broke off from the highways when these veered away from home, but many continued their flight along the highway until a major junction, even when the detour added substantially to their journey. The degree of road following increased with repeated releases but not flight length. Significant road following (in 40%-50% of the tracks) was mainly observed from release sites along northwest-southeast axis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the existence of a learned road-following homing strategy of pigeons and the use of particular topographical points for final navigation to the loft. Apparently, the better-directed early stages of the flight compensated the added final detour. During early and middle stages of the flight, following large and distinct roads is likely to reflect stabilization of a compass course rather than the presence of a mental roadmap. A cognitive (roadmap) component manifested by repeated crossing of preferred topographical points, including highway exits, is more likely when pigeons approach the loft area. However, it might only be expected in pigeons raised in an area characterized by navigationally relevant highway systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Environmental enrichment and isolation rearing in the rat: effects on locomotor behavior and startle response plasticity.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory rats exhibit behavioral changes that reflect a continuum of early life experience, from isolation-reared to socially reared to enrichment-reared conditions. In this study, we further characterize the behavioral effects of isolation, social, and enriched rearing on locomotor activity, patterns of movement and exploration, startle reactivity, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and habituation in adult rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rat pups (21 days old) were housed under enrichment (three per cage with toys and exposure to enriched environments), normal social (three per cage), or isolation (one per cage) conditions. Eight weeks later, locomotor and exploratory behaviors, acoustic startle reactivity, PPI, and habituation were measured in the three groups. RESULTS: Enrichment-reared rats exhibited reduced exploration and rapid habituation of locomotor activity, increased startle reactivity, and normal PPI and startle habituation compared with socially reared controls. Isolation-reared rats exhibited increased exploration and normal habituation of locomotor activity, increased startle reactivity, reduced PPI, and normal startle habituation. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation- and enrichment-reared rats exhibited opposite changes in some behaviors and similar changes in other behaviors. Specifically, rats raised in enriched conditions appear more efficient at assimilating stimuli from their environment than do rats reared in isolation. Nevertheless, both enrichment- and isolation-rearing conditions increased startle reactivity, whereas only isolation rearing led to disruptions of PPI in adulthood. These results suggest that isolation- and enrichment-rearing conditions produce some common and some differential effects on how rats process environmental stimuli. For studies of isolation-rearing effects on PPI, however, the complex and resource-intensive enrichment condition seems to offer few advantages over the normal social condition.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Colostrum mediates the development of mother preference by newborn lambs.

The first sucking bouts have strong rewarding properties in the establishment of a preference for the mother by newborn lambs. In this study we designed an artificial teat (Experiment 1) and a method of tube feeding (Experiment 2) to investigate the role of nonnutritive sucking and colostrum intake as reinforcers in the development of this relationship (Experiment 3). In this third experiment, lambs of the control group (n=10) had free access to the udder. In the other groups they were prevented from sucking between birth and 6 h by covering the ewe's udder while lambs received one of the following treatments: access to nonnutritive teats fitted onto the mother's udder (n=12), tube fed with colostrum (n=11), or fully deprived (n=10). When tested in a two-choice test at 24 h of age, controls and lambs receiving colostrum spent significantly more time near their mother than near the alien ewe. By contrast, deprived lambs did not. Half of the lambs having access to nonnutritive teats displayed a preference for their mother; the other half chose the alien ewe. However, most lambs that were affected by the treatments displayed a preference for their mother when a second test was performed at 48 h. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a neonatal nasogastric infusion of colostrum has the same rewarding properties as a complete sucking bout. They also provide evidence for the first time that a relationship with the dam can be established via a nutritional signal originating from the gastrointestinal sphere.

Animals↗