Presenter(s): Minh Nguyen
Faculty Mentor(s): Laura Boddington & Paul Steffan
Poster 22
Session: Sciences
An animal’s ability to learn and perform perceptual tasks is highly variable, depending on factors such as reward type. Using a more favorable reward is expected to positively influence motivation and performance. The present study examined the effects of using a highly palatable caloric reward in lieu of standard water reward. It was hypothesized that a high caloric reward solution would facilitate a faster learning rate on an auditory discrimination task. Surgically head- posted mice were habituated and put on water restriction prior to behavior sessions. They were trained in a “tone-in-noise” detection task with 10% sucrose solution reward for correct licks and time out (resetting trial) for incorrect licks. We recorded the animal’s performance while simultaneously monitored the pupil dilations. The results showed that 10% sucrose solution has the capacity to act as a reward stimulus due to its positive reinforcement properties, however, larger sample sizes are required to fully quantify the efficacy of sucrose solution compared to traditional fluid rewards. By examining the effects of alternative reward treatments on performance in an auditory discrimination task, we can determine optimal treatment conditions in which mice learn most efficiently. These results could further elucidate the relationship between caloric intake, nutrition, and arousal.