Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats
Published on: June 22, 2015
11.0K
Whisker and Nose Tactile Sense Guide Rat Behavior in a Skilled Reaching Task
Pierantonio Parmiani1,2, Cristina Lucchetti3, Gianfranco Franchi1
1Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, Section of Human Physiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|March 9, 2018
Summary
Sensory input from whiskers and infraorbital nerves is crucial for skilled reaching in rats. While whisker trimming impacts initial orientation, infraorbital nerve severing disrupts both orientation and the reaching-grasping movement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Skilled reaching in rats involves orienting, transporting, and withdrawing food.
- Olfaction guides food location, but the role of tactile senses is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of whisker and infraorbital nerve input in skilled reaching behavior.
- To differentiate the effects of whisker trimming versus infraorbital nerve severing on reaching components.
Main Methods:
- Rats performed a single-pellet reaching task.
- Behavior was analyzed before and after bilateral whisker trimming.
- Behavior was analyzed before and after bilateral infraorbital nerve (ION) severing.
Main Results:
- Bilateral whisker trimming impaired the 'Orient' phase, increasing nose touches to locate the slot.
- ION severing significantly reduced wall approaches and nose pokes, delaying slot location.
- ION severing also transiently abolished the reaching-grasping-retracting movement and increased exploratory paw movements.
Conclusions:
- Whisker input is essential for the initial 'Orient' phase of skilled reaching.
- Infraorbital nerve input is critical for both persistent orientation and transient execution of the reaching-grasping-retracting movement.
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