A COMPUTER TOUCH-SCREEN APPARATUS FOR TRAINING VISUAL DISCRIMINATIONSIN RATS

We describe an operant conditioning apparatus that uses computerized t ouch-screen technology and is designed for the versatile and highly co ntrolled testing of rats in a potentially wide variety of behavioral p aradigms. Although computer-controlled touch-screen systems have been developed for use with pigeons, monkeys, and humans, analogous technol ogies and methods have not yet been developed for rats. The developmen t of a touch-screen system for rats could enhance the efficiency of be havioral research with rats, and may offer a unique tool for studying animal learning. In the first test of the utility of the apparatus, 3 Sprague-Dawley rats learned to activate the touch screen only after th e touch-screen panel was made slightly movable. These animals then lea rned to discriminate visual stimuli presented on the computer monitor, but only after the food magazine and pellet dispenser were moved to t he rear of the chamber opposite the stimulus display and response wind ow. In a test of the utility of the modified apparatus, 6 Long-Evans r ats learned to activate the touch screen and learned one of three diff erent simple discriminations using computer-generated, visually presen ted stimuli. A basic method for training rats to activate the computer touch screen and for visual discrimination training is described. Res ults show that rats learned to activate the touch screen and discrimin ate visual stimuli presented on a computer monitor. Potential applicat ions and advantages of the touch-screen-equipped rat operant condition ing chamber are discussed.