Abstract
General criteria that an experimental model for cellular neurophysiologic studies of learning must satisfy are discussed. It is suggested that defensively-conditioned cardioacceleration in the pigeon provides a preparation with a great deal of potential in this regard. Specific criteria are then established and discussed with reference to this specific preparation. The major emphasis in the paper is upon our approach to developing a suitable vertebrate model, particularly its behavioral requirements and the determination of the neuroanatomical pathways mediating development of the learned response. Experimental results illustrate the approach.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Black, A. H.: Cardiac conditioning in curarized dogs: The relationship between heart rate and skeletal behaviour.In Prokasy, W. F. (ed.):Classical Conditioning. New York, Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1965.
Cohen, D. H.: The hyperstriatal region of the avian forebrain: A lesion study of possible functions, including its role in cardiac and respiratory conditioning.J. Comp. Neurol.,131: 559–570, 1967.
Cohen, D. H., and Durkovic, R. G.: Cardiac and respiratory conditioning, differentiation, and extinction in the pigeon.J. Exp. Anal. Behav.,9: 681–688, 1966.
Cohen, D. H., and Pitts, L. H.: Vagal and sympathetic components of conditioned cardioacceleration in the pigeon.Brain Res.,9: 15–31, 1968.
Cohen, D. H., Schnall, A., Macdonald, R., and Pitts, L. H.: The cells of origin of vagal cardioinhibitory fibers in the pigeon (Columba livia).Anat. Rec., in press.
Cohen, D. H., and Trauner, D. A.: Studies of avian visual pathways involved in cardiac conditioning: Nucleus rotundus and ectostriatum.Exp. Brain Res.,7: 133–142, 1969.
Durkovic, R. G., and Cohen, D. H.: Effects of rostral midbrain lesions on conditioning of heart and respiratory rate responses in the pigeon.J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol., in press.
Durkovic, R. G., and Cohen, D. H.: Effects of caudal midbrain lesions on conditioning of heart and respiratory rate responses in the pigeon. Submitted for publication.
Enoch, D. M., and Kerr, F. W. L.: Hypothalamic vasopressor and vesicopressor pathways. I. Functional studies.Arch. Neurol.,16: 290–306, 1967a.
Enoch, D. M., and Kerr, F. W. L.: Hypothalamic vasopressor and vesicopressor pathways. II. Anatomic study of their course and connections.Arch. Neurol.,16: 307–320, 1967b.
Evarts, E. V.: A technique for recording activity of subcortical neurons in moving animals.Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol.,24: 83–86, 1968.
Hoyle, G.: An isolated insect ganglion-nerve-muscle preparation.J. Exp. Biol.,44: 413–427, 1966a.
Hoyle, G.: Functioning of the inhibitory conditioning axon innervating insect muscles.J. Exp. Biol.,44: 429–453, 1966b.
Huber, J. F.: Nerve roots and nuclear groups in the spinal cord of the pigeon.J. Comp. Neurol.,65: 43–91, 1936.
John, E. R.:Mechanisms of Memory. New York, Academic Press, 1967.
Kandel, E. R., and Spencer, W. A.: Cellular neurophysiological approaches to learning.Physiol. Rev.,48: 65–134, 1968.
Thompson, R.: Centrencephalic theory and interhemispheric transfer of visual habits.Psychol. Rev.,72: 385–398, 1965.
Thompson, R. F., and Spencer, W. A.: Habituation: A model phenomenon for the study of neuronal substrates of behavior.Psychol. Rev.,73: 16–43, 1966.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by National Science Foundation Grants GB-2767, GB-6850, GB-8008 and grants from the Heart Association of Northeast Ohio.
An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02999661.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cohen, D.H. Development of a vertebrate experimental model for cellular neurophysiologic studies of learning. Conditional Reflex 4, 61–80 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000085
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000085