CONDITIONED ELECTROCORTICOGRAPHIC POTENTIALS AND BEHAVIORAL AVOIDANCE RESPONSE IN CAT

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Abstract
The present study attempts to clarify the relationship between cortical conditioning and overt behavioral conditioning. Specifically, the study tests whether a sensory stimulus which, through the cortical conditioning process, has acquired the ability to elicit central electrical responses characteristically evoked by a 2d sensory stimulus, has simultaneously acquired the ability to elicit overt behavioral responses that have been associated, through conventional conditioning techniques, with that 2d stimulus. In 9 experiments, 3 adult cats were first trained to conditioned avoidance response in a double grill box. A flashing light (flicker) was the conditioned stimulus (CS) and electric shock the unconditioned stimulus (US). The former evoked photic driving in the electrocorticogram (ecg) and the latter forced the cat to cross over to another''compartment in the box. After repeatedly paired presentation, the flicker by itself elicited both the ecg repetitive discharge and the behavioral crossing. These cats were then trained to a conditioned ecg response in an animal holder.A tone was the CS and the flicker light the US. The conditioned ecg response to tone alone was established through the following stages: 1st, generalized desynchronization, 2d, localized frequency specific repetitive discharge in the occipital region, and finally, localized desynchronization in the occipital region. After the cats had both these conditioned responses they were put into the double grill box to test whether the conditioned ecg potential would be associated with behavioral response. Tone alone was presented and evoked only the ecg changes but not behavioral crossing. It was concluded that the conditioned ecg potentials were not sufficient to elicit overt behavior. The relation of the ecg response to behavioral learning is discussed.

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