Behavioral verification of associative learning in whiskers-related fear conditioning in mice.

摘要: Fear-conditioning is one of the most widely used paradigms in attempts to unravel processes and mechanisms underlying learning plasticity. In Pavlovian conditioning auditory stimulus as a conditioned (CS), but can be accomplished also tactile CS. The whisker-to-barrel system mice offers convenient way investigate brain pathways learning, plasticity cortex. To support claim that an animal learns during session plastic changes are associative nature, objective measures behavior necessary. Multiple types responses develop, depending on training situation, CS unconditioned (UCS) characteristics. These include physiological responses, such salivation, heart rate, galvanic skin reaction, behavioral startle reflex potentiation or suppression ongoing behavior. When studying with whisker behaving mice, stimulation individual whiskers well-controlled manner may require restrain disadvantage only limited observed. Stimulation neck-restraining apparatus evokes head movements. (CS) paired aversive UCS conditioning, movements decrease course training. This called minifreezing, resembles freezing response, frequently measure, however applicable freely moving animals. article will review experimental evidences confirming minifreezing relevant index association formation between neutral UCS.