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Feeder Approach between Trials Is Increased by Uncertainty and Affects Subsequent Choices
Aaron J Gruber1, Rajat Thapa1, Sienna H Randolph1
1Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Dr. W, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.
Eneuro
|January 10, 2018
Summary
Rats exhibit extraneous feeder sampling (EFS), touching inactive food dispensers between trials. This behavior, despite costs, aids exploration in uncertain tasks and influences future choices, suggesting its importance in decision-making studies.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Animal learning and behavior
- Decision-making processes
Background:
- Animals readily learn to approach food sources.
- Operant conditioning tasks involve learning stimulus-response-outcome associations.
- Behavior between reinforcement trials is often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel behavior: extraneous feeder sampling (EFS) in rats.
- To determine the factors influencing EFS.
- To understand the impact of EFS on subsequent decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Rats performed a self-paced operant task.
- Volitional orofacial contact with inactive feeders (EFS) was recorded.
- EFS rates were analyzed under varying conditions (novelty, satiety, brain lesions).
Main Results:
- EFS decreased with training but persisted.
- EFS increased with task novelty, satiety, and dorsolateral striatum lesions.
- EFS triggered lose-shift responses, impacting subsequent choices.
Conclusions:
- EFS may serve as an exploratory behavior in uncertain situations.
- Behaviors occurring between trials significantly influence decision-making.
- The dorsolateral striatum plays a role in modulating EFS.
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