Visual Evoked Potential Augmenting/Reducing Slopes in Cats. 2. Correlations with Behavior

摘要

Relationships were studied in cats between the augmenting/reducing slopes of visual evoked potentials (VEP) and three types of behavioral responses: learning and performance measures in (1) fixed interval (FI), and (2) differential reinforcement of low rate of response (DRL) bar pressing tasks of food reward, and (3) the effect of noise stress or increasing task difficulty on performance of an FI, DRL or 2 bar discrimination task. The most reliable slope measure (N1 at a medium intensity range) was found to correlate most highly with inhibitory behaviors such that reducers were most successful in controlling bar pressing behavior during an inhibitory DRL task or when stress was introduced. At a higher range of flash intensity slopes tended to be more negative, and the P1-N1 slopes although more variable correlated most consistently with general temperament. Augmenters at a high intensity range were more active and exploratory, and learned to bar press more quickly and efficiently.