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Instrumental learning within the spinal cord: I. Behavioral properties
J W Grau1, D G Barstow, R L Joynes
1Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA. j-grau@tamu.edu
Behavioral Neuroscience
|February 2, 1999
Summary
Spinal neurons in rats can support instrumental learning, demonstrated by their ability to control leg position to avoid shock. Disruption of the shock-outcome link impairs this learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Spinal Cord Research
Background:
- Instrumental learning is typically studied in the brain.
- The capacity of the spinal cord to support learning remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if spinal neurons can support instrumental learning.
- To explore the role of response-outcome contiguity in spinal learning.
Main Methods:
- Spinal rats were trained using controllable (master) or uncontrollable (yoked) leg shocks.
- Learning was assessed by changes in leg flexion.
- Response-outcome contiguity was manipulated by delaying shock delivery.
Main Results:
- Master rats learned to maintain a flexed leg position to avoid shock, unlike yoked rats.
- Master rats showed positive transfer of learning, while yoked rats exhibited learned helplessness.
- Disrupting shock timing (100 ms delay) abolished learning.
Conclusions:
- Spinal neurons are capable of supporting instrumental learning.
- Learning is dependent on the contiguity between a response and its outcome.
- Shock onset is a critical factor in spinal instrumental learning.