Equipment for time-place learning research

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Time-place learning is the ability of rats to learn the spatiotemporal variability of biologically important stimuli such as food. I investigate this ability by training rats to go to one of 4 locations in an operant box depending on the time since they have been placed in the box. For example, the rat must respond on Lever A for the first 4-min period, Lever B for the second 4-min period, Lever C for the third 4-min period and Lever D for the final 4-min period. By investigating this ability in animals we hope to better understand the abilities of animals to learn spatiotemporal contingencies which may be useful in understanding their foraging abilities. More importantly, studying TPL also allows us to conduct studies investigating how information is stored in memory.     The specialized boxes used in these studies are constructed of Plexiglas so that the rat may use room cues to orient itself within the box. The boxes contain on each of four identical walls, a lever, light, and food cup. On the top of the operant box are 4 food dispensers which provide food pellets to the rats for correct responses. Three of these boxes are requested so that I can increase the number of studies that can be conducted at any given time and to increase the sample size in the studies. In addition, one desktop computer is requested that controls and does data collection for the different paradigms that can be executed with these boxes. The computer can also be used for data analysis.     The equipment requested will dedicated to research in interval TPL, and will be used both by myself and my students. This equipment will allow my students to gain hands-on experience with interval TPL research. This equipment is also suitable for research into other kinds of animal learning and may therefore be used by other researchers at Memorial University.