Comparison of effects of small lesions in posterodorsal septum on spontaneous and rerun correction (contingently reinforced) alternation in rats.

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Abstract
Characteristicss of T-maze alternation behavior were compared by giving 1 group of 11 rats 7 sessions under conditions of rerun correction (contingent reinforcement for alternation) and another group of 11 rats the same number of sessions with noncontingent reinforcements, i.e., entering either goal arm of the T-maze, was reinforced. Both groups alternated significantly above chance, and the difference in medians between groups was small but significant in latter sessions. Rats given rerun correction training quickly came against the ceiling of 100% alternation, and individual differences were small. The scores of rats run under conditions of spontaneous alternation were more variable, both within and between rats. In the 2nd part of the experiment, 6 rats in each group received small electrolytic lesions in the posterodorsal septum. There were 5 operated-control rats from each group. After 2 wk postoperative recovery all rats were again given 7 sessions in the T-maze. Under rerun correction procedure (contingent reinforcement), the controls retained near-perfect alternation scores. Most animals with lesions dropped to chance levels but recovered to control level over the 7 sessions. Rats tested under spontaneous alternation conditions behaved quite differently. The control group continued to alternate significantly, but rats with lesions significantly alternated less and did not recover.

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