The continuous performance test (rCPT) for mice: a novel operant touchscreen test of attentional function

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Continuous performance tests (CPTs) are essential for evaluating attentional processes in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
• Human CPTs typically involve discriminating visual stimuli at a single location.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the performance of C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and CD1 mice on a novel rodent CPT (rCPT).
• To investigate the impact of donepezil, a cognitive enhancer, on rCPT performance.

Main Methods:

• Mice were trained through four stages of the rCPT.
• Probe tests examined the effects of varying stimulus parameters and flanker distractors.
• Donepezil's effects were evaluated after acute administration.

Main Results:

• C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice achieved similar rCPT acquisition and baseline performance.
• rCPT performance in these strains was sensitive to changes in visual and attentional demands.
• DBA/2J mice showed session-dependent performance decline and greater sensitivity to donepezil compared to C57BL/6J mice.
• CD1 mice did not acquire the rCPT task.

Conclusions:

• The rodent CPT (rCPT) is a viable translational tool for assessing attention in mice.
• rCPT can effectively detect the cognitive effects of nootropic drugs.