Some properties of conditioned and unconditioned eyelid reflexes in the albino rat

Eyelid responses in the rat were recorded as electromyographic activity (EMG) or as movements detected by a photoelectric technique. Spontaneous blinks, startle responses to acoustic stimuli, unconditioned responses to air puffs, and conditioned responses based on the corneal reflex were recorded under a variety of conditions. Special attention was given to topographical and temporal characteristics of the responses. Some relationships between the EMG and eyelid movements are described, as well as changes in eyelid responses related to habituation, conditioning, and various stimulus manipulations, In addition to the substantive findings, the study suggests that the rat may yet become a useful S in the study of eyelid conditioning.