Turn-signal utilization by rats with either unilateral or bilateral posterior parietal cortex injuries

摘要: Rats with sham, unilateral, or bilateral aspiration lesions of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) were trained in a water T-maze to use flashing lights located along starting alley (two each) and inner walls goal alleys find hidden escape platform. Thereafter, performance spatial response was tested under several conditions. PPC significantly inferior unilateral- sham-injured rats learning “turn-signal” cued task. Also, left-PPC-injured committed more errors than did control animals. After mastering task, cue saliency reduced amount discontiguity between stimuli site increased two stages. That is, light closest platform turned off for one testing session. On following day, animals required rely on information within make correct at choice point. Animals left impaired task cues only alley. The then competing constant illumination side apparatus opposite flashing-light cues. all dropped chance failed improve training. Finally, three sham-operated controls retrained criterion original discrimination prepared injuries. Substantial savings observed. results reveal greater role right local sensory navigation, they show that is not repository “engram” this learned visuospatial behavior.