TOUCHWINDOWS AND OPERANT-BEHAVIOR IN RATS

We describe a new method which has the potential to assess a wide rang e of behavioural, especially cognitive, processes in rats. This involv es the presentation of microcomputer-generated visual stimuli on a sta ndard video monitor, with the rat responding on a transparent pressure -sensitive device (Touch Window) placed directly in front of it. The m ethod allows a large variety of visual stimuli to be used, with respon ses possible over the entire area of the window. In this report, we de scribe the basic design of the equipment and the training protocol and present behavioural data from a light-tracking (visual attention) tas k.