Reward-related neuronal activities in basal ganglia of domestic chicks

We aimed to reveal what is coded in the basal ganglia of domestic chicks. I n the water-reinforced 'go' task, chicks learned to peck selectively at a c olored bead in order to obtain a drop of water. Out of 38 units obtained, s even showed excitatory activities specifically during the reward period. In the food-reinforced go/no-go task, chicks learned to discriminate two colo rs to obtain mash food after a delay period. They also learned to ignore an other color, which was not associated with a reward. Out of 27 units obtain ed, four showed excitatory activities during the cue period, specifically w hen a food reward was anticipated. LPO neurons may code qualities of the ob tained rewards, and also chick's anticipation of the forthcoming rewards. N euroReport 12:1431-1435 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.