Frequency-Modulated Tone Discrimination
Objective: To assess the ability to discriminate between linearly frequency-modulated tones as conditioned stimuli in an avoidance task, and to examine the role of auditory cortex in FM tone discrimination versus pure tone discrimination
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Protocol Steps
Establish differential conditioning to auditory stimuli
Train animals in GO/NO-GO task using either pure tones or linearly frequency-modulated (FM) tones as conditioned stimuli
Note: Two stimulus types tested: pure tones and linearly frequency-modulated tones
View evidence from paper
“This study examines the role of auditory cortex in the Mongolian gerbil in differential conditioning to pure tones and to linearly frequency-modulated (FM) tones”
Monitor conditioned responses
Record hurdle crossing as conditioned response to reinforced stimulus (CR+), false alarms in response to unreinforced stimulus (CR−), intertrial activity, and reaction times
Note: Multiple behavioral parameters tracked simultaneously
View evidence from paper
“Hurdle crossing as the conditioned response to the reinforced stimulus (CR+), as false alarm in response to the unreinforced stimulus (CR−), intertrial activity, and reaction times were monitored.”
Perform bilateral auditory cortex ablation
Conduct bilateral ablation of auditory cortex in experimental animals
Note: Lesions performed either before training in naive animals or after pretraining in experienced animals
View evidence from paper
“This study examines the role of auditory cortex in the Mongolian gerbil in differential conditioning to pure tones and to linearly frequency-modulated (FM) tones by analyzing the effects of bilateral auditory cortex ablation.”
Assess discrimination performance post-lesion
Evaluate changes in pure tone and FM tone discrimination following bilateral auditory cortex ablation
Note: Lesion timing relative to training affects outcome measures differently for FM tone discrimination
View evidence from paper
“The analysis revealed no effects of lesion on pure tone discrimination but impairment of FM tone discrimination.”