Abstract
Multiple-unit activity (MUA) from 19 sites in the mesencephalic structures of eight male cats was measured during the evolution of learning in a cued-DRL task involving two consecutive delay schedules of increasing difficulty. In reticular regions, precocious increases in the tonic level of activity were observed as compared to the preconditioning baseline. These were later followed by a decrease when performance was improved. In contrast, phasic MUA responses to the cue were belatedly augmented in the final part of acquisition. Correlations with video-actograms of head displacements suggested a participation of orienting and postural mechanisms in these activational effects. Results are discussed from two viewpoints: (a) the involvement of motor activities in arousal changes and (b) the definition of two substages of acquisition, e.g. approach-avoidance and behavioral inhibition under the control of temporal cues, each with distinctive reticular correlates.
Published Version
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