Biomaterial Database

Operant discrimination learning in detelencephalated pigeons (Columba livia). 1995

S M Cerutti, and E A Ferrari

Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP, Brasil.

Operant discrimination learning was analyzed in pigeons after massive telencephalic lesions. Twenty-one pigeons were divided into three groups: non-lesioned (N = 6), sham-lesioned (N = 5) and telencephalon lesioned (N = 10). Lesion surgeries were carried out before any experimental training. Learning procedures were run in the same sequence for all groups and under a food deprivation of 80% of the ad libitum weight. Successive discrimination was programmed by the alteration of red and yellow lights in the right key of a standard operant chamber: the red key was correlated with variable-ratio reinforcement; the yellow key was correlated with extinction. Session were run until steady-state key peck rates were obtained. The following results demonstrate discrimination learning by detelencephalated birds. Response shaping and steady-state rates required a larger number of sessions for lesioned pigeons (P < 0.05). They showed increased response rates in red (26.43 +/- 2.59) and yellow (11.17 +/- 2.86) components as compared to the non-lesioned (red: 16.51 +/- 2.0; yellow: 2.02 +/- 0.64) and sham-lesioned (red: 22.84 +/- 1.77; yellow: 4.72 +/- 1.99) groups (P < 0.05). These data show that telencephalic systems are not essential for operant discrimination learning but play a role in the modulation of discriminative behavior. Subtelencephalic systems appear to be functionally important for the organization and storage of learning.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010856	Columbidae	Family in the order COLUMBIFORMES, comprised of pigeons or doves. They are BIRDS with short legs, stout bodies, small heads, and slender bills. Some sources call the smaller species doves and the larger pigeons, but the names are interchangeable.	Columba livia,Doves,Pigeons,Domestic Pigeons,Feral Pigeons,Rock Doves,Rock Pigeons,Domestic Pigeon,Dove,Dove, Rock,Doves, Rock,Feral Pigeon,Pigeon,Pigeon, Domestic,Pigeon, Feral,Pigeon, Rock,Pigeons, Domestic,Pigeons, Feral,Pigeons, Rock,Rock Dove,Rock Pigeon
D003216	Conditioning, Operant	Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced.	Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D003655	Decerebrate State	A condition characterized by abnormal posturing of the limbs that is associated with injury to the brainstem. This may occur as a clinical manifestation or induced experimentally in animals. The extensor reflexes are exaggerated leading to rigid extension of the limbs accompanied by hyperreflexia and opisthotonus. This condition is usually caused by lesions which occur in the region of the brainstem that lies between the red nuclei and the vestibular nuclei. In contrast, decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the elbows and wrists with extension of the legs and feet. The causative lesion for this condition is located above the red nuclei and usually consists of diffuse cerebral damage. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p358)	Decerebrate Posturing,Decorticate Rigidity,Decorticate State,Rigidity, Decerebrate,Rigidity, Decorticate,Decerebrate Posturings,Decerebrate Rigidity,Decerebrate States,Decorticate Rigidities,Decorticate States,Posturing, Decerebrate,Posturings, Decerebrate,Rigidities, Decorticate,State, Decerebrate,States, Decerebrate
D004193	Discrimination Learning	Learning that is manifested in the ability to respond differentially to various stimuli.	Discriminative Learning,Discrimination Learnings,Discriminative Learnings,Learning, Discrimination,Learning, Discriminative
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013687	Telencephalon	The anterior subdivision of the embryonic PROSENCEPHALON or the corresponding part of the adult prosencephalon that includes the cerebrum and associated structures.	Endbrain,Endbrains