Go-no go avoidance reflex differentiation and its retention after prefrontal lesion in cats

Cats were trained in a go-no go differentiation of two acoustic stimuli (click versus tone) using the bar-pressing avoidance method. The quality of the conditioned stimuli exerted a clear effect on the rapidity of the avoidance reflex acquisition and on the proportions of short-latency bar-pressing responses executed in positive and in inhibitory trials. Removal of the proreal and orbital gyri did not abolish differentiation, although a decrease of responding in positive trials and some impairment in further consolidation of the inhibitory reflexes were observed.