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Within-session modulation of timed anticipatory responding: when to start responding.
Fuat Balci1, Elliot A Ludvig, Dani Brunner
1Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. fbalci@princeton.edu
Behavioural Processes
|July 6, 2010
Summary
Animal interval timing studies assume stable peak responding, but this study found significant changes within sessions. Measures like start times, response rates, and peak times varied, suggesting motivational factors influence timed anticipatory responding.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Animal behavior
- Cognitive neuroscience
Background:
- The peak procedure is a common method for studying interval timing in animals.
- Timing measures are typically averaged across trials, assuming stable responding throughout the session.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the assumption of stable peak responding within a session.
- To examine how measures of peak responding change over time during a fixed-interval schedule.
Main Methods:
- Forty-five mice were trained on a fixed-interval 30-s schedule.
- Peak responding measures were analyzed across the session to detect within-session changes.
Main Results:
- Most peak responding measures, including start times, response rates, and spread, changed significantly within the session.
- Peak times showed a less reliable rightward shift, while stop times remained stable.
- These findings indicate within-session modulation of timed anticipatory responding.
Conclusions:
- The assumption of stable peak responding within a session is not supported.
- Observed changes align with motivational interpretations, particularly increased satiety.
- Results highlight the dynamic nature of interval timing behavior within a session.
