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Related Experiment Videos

H-reflex operant conditioning in mice.

Jonathan S Carp1, Ann M Tennissen, Xiang Yang Chen

  • 1Laboratory of Neurons System Disorder, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA. carpj@wadsworth.org

Journal of Neurophysiology
|July 14, 2006
PubMed
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Mice can be trained using operant conditioning to alter their H-reflex (HR) amplitude, a spinal reflex. This new mouse model allows for genetic and in vitro studies of spinal cord plasticity and behavior modification.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Operant conditioning can modify spinal reflexes like the H-reflex (HR) in rats, monkeys, and humans.
  • Spinal cord plasticity underlies these behavioral changes, offering insights into neural mechanisms.
  • Mice are advantageous for genetic and in vitro studies of the spinal cord.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an H-reflex (HR) operant conditioning protocol in mice.
  • To establish a model for studying spinal cord plasticity and the neural basis of behavior modification.
  • To enable genetic manipulation and in vitro electrophysiological studies of HR conditioning.

Main Methods:

  • An operant conditioning paradigm was established in mice using computer-controlled liquid rewards.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Tibial nerve stimulation and intramuscular EMG recordings were used to measure H-reflex (HR) and M-response amplitudes.
  • Mice underwent 3-7 weeks of either up-conditioning (increasing HR) or down-conditioning (decreasing HR).

    • Main Results:

    • Mice successfully learned to modulate their H-reflex (HR) amplitude through operant conditioning.
    • Up-conditioned mice showed a mean final HR amplitude of 139% of control, while down-conditioned mice showed 63% of control.
    • Conditioning effects were robust and not due to confounding factors like motoneuron pool excitation or stimulation intensity.

    Conclusions:

    • Mice exhibit H-reflex (HR) operant conditioning comparable to that seen in larger mammals.
    • This mouse model provides a powerful tool for investigating the genetic and cellular mechanisms of spinal cord plasticity.
    • The developed protocol facilitates future research into the neural basis of learned motor control and behavior modification.