Effects of subcortical electrical stimulation on discrimination learning in cats.

Abstract

The effect of intracranial stimulation on object discrimination learning was studies in cats. Low-intensity current was administered for 10 sec.: (a) immediately after a response, (b) immediately preceding a response, or (c) during the choice period. The temporal relations between response and onset of stimulation determined the effects of stimulation on learning scores: (a) stimulation after the response produced a significant deficit on difficult or new tasks; (b) stimulation before the response had no effect; and (c) stimulation during the choice had a significant facilitatory effect on learning. The results are discussed in terms of pure learning effects of stimulation, as well as possible motivational effects on both learning and performance.