Eyeblink conditioning in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with stimulation of the mystacial vibrissae as a conditioned stimulus

Eyeblink conditioning is a well-understood paradigm for the study of learni ng and memory and has been successfully employed with the use of auditory a nd visual conditioned stimuli (CSs). In this study, vibrotactile stimulatio n of the mystacial vibrissae was examined as an alternative CS in the rabbi t (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The technique is described and acquisition of ey eblink conditioning (EBC) with stimulation of a single row of vibrissae in a delay paradigm is reported. Extinction of EBC with presentation of the CS alone is demonstrated, as well as reacquisition with stimulation of a sing le whisker. Finally, control experiments ensure that the CS has no auditory components. Ipsilateral presentation of the CS and airpuff is a more effec tive combination for training than contralateral presentations. Vibrotactil e stimulation of the vibrissae as a CS will enable further examination of t he neural correlates of learning in a well-characterized sensory system.