Rat Cognition & Behavior

Rats were trained on an incrementing non-match-to-sample two choice task using odor stimuli, a modified version of the odor span task to test working memory capacity. Rats remove the odor scented lid of the new odor on each trial to consume the sugar pellet hidden underneath, and should the odor scented lids that they have already experienced that day. Rats could remember stimuli from trial 1 up to (and through) trial 25. This was used as a memory test that was later adapted for behavioral pharmacology research. 

Several drugs of abuse such as ketamine, ecstasy, Ritalin, etc. are associated with short term or working memory loss.  Some of these drugs are also utilized to mimic the memory deficits inherent in neurological disease, such as Schizophrenia. The Galizio & Bruce lab examine the effects of drugs on rats working memory performance using the odor span task.  

Symmetry:

Rats were trained to pair odor stimuli (if presented A--> respond to B) in order to test for emergent symmetry (if presented B--> do they pick A?). 

Generalized Identity:

After training match to sample with several odor exemplars (if A-->A), emergent identity was tested with novel odors  (E-->E?). 

Generalized Oddity:

After training non-match to sample with several odor exemplars (if A-->C), emergent oddity was tested with novel odors (E-->G ?).