The magnitude of post-reinforcement EEG synchronization (PRS) in cats reflects learning ability

Electrocortical alpha-like activity, termed post-reinforcement synchronization (PRS), observed during operantly behavior, was quantified in 25 cats and plotted against the number of training sessions required for each to learn to press a lever for milk reward. A significant correlation (r = 0.77; P less than 0.001) was found between PRS magnitude and learning ability. The time required for learning correlated with the amount of perseveration in partially reinforced, i.e. ineffective, behavioral modes.