1.Tufts University,Medford;2.West Roxbury VA Hospital,Boston;3.Harvard Medical School,Boston
Abstract:
The efficiency of traditional levers and of modern touchscreen technology for training rats on a computerized visual discrimination
was studied in a series of observations. When compared with a lever-based discrimination procedure, the use of touchscreens
supported the faster development of signal tracking behavior and acquisition of a two-stimulus simultaneous visual discrimination.
It did not affect the final level of accuracy. Factors related to spatial proximity of the responses with the stimuli, sign-tracking,
and increased ease of touchscreen motor responses were suggested as possible reasons for the touchscreen training advantage.
This increased efficiency allows large numbers of animals to be tested quickly, a necessary requirement for studies involving
genetic and physiological interventions.