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Discriminative control of hyperdipsic drinking in the baboon.

J S Turkkan, I H Iversen, A H Harris

Physiology & Behavior

|December 1, 1984

Summary

This study shows that baboons can learn to control their blood pressure through operant conditioning. Drinking behavior was also observed, occurring systematically under specific environmental cues.

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Area of Science:

Physiology
Behavioral Neuroscience
Operant Conditioning

Background:

Understanding the physiological and behavioral mechanisms underlying blood pressure regulation is crucial.
Investigating the role of operant conditioning in controlling autonomic functions like blood pressure is an active area of research.
Exploring the relationship between environmental stimuli, learned behaviors, and physiological responses provides insights into complex biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether a baboon could be trained to voluntarily elevate its diastolic blood pressure using operant conditioning.
To examine the relationship between blood pressure control, water intake, and environmental cues (discriminative stimuli).
To determine if drinking behavior was a consequence or a cause of blood pressure elevations.

Main Methods:

A baboon was surgically fitted with an arterial catheter for blood pressure monitoring.
Operant conditioning procedures were employed, using food reinforcement and shock avoidance with associated discriminative stimuli.
Water intake was monitored, and drinking behavior was analyzed in relation to specific stimuli and blood pressure changes.

Main Results:

The baboon successfully learned to elevate its diastolic blood pressure according to the conditioning schedule.
Significant increases in water intake were observed during conditioning sessions.
Blood pressure elevations preceded drinking, indicating that drinking did not cause the pressor responses.
Drinking behavior was systematically controlled by discriminative stimuli associated with food, not shock.

Conclusions:

Voluntary control over diastolic blood pressure is achievable in baboons through operant conditioning.
Drinking behavior can be systematically elicited by exteroceptive discriminative stimuli in the absence of direct physiological need.
These findings demonstrate that complex physiological responses and associated behaviors can be modulated by environmental cues and learning.

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