Tool-use training temporarily enhances cognitive performance in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
Tool-use training temporarily enhances cognitive performance in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
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工具使用训练暂时增强长尾猕猴（Macaca fasciculis）的认知表现
DOI：
10.1007/s10071-018-1173-3
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发表时间：
2018
期刊：
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
L. Fadiga
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Banty Tia;Riccardo Viaro;L. Fadiga
工具的使用依赖于许多认知功能，包括对因果关系的持续关注和理解。在这项研究中，我们调查了工具使用训练对灵长类动物认知能力的影响。具体来说，我们将灵长类动物认知测试电池应用于三只长尾猕猴（Macaca fascicularis）的不同训练阶段，其中包括使用耙子取回遥不可及的食物。此外，我们评估了执行抓取任务的对照组（n = 3），以解释与简单运动行为相关的可能影响。我们的研究结果表明，工具使用训练提高了物理认知领域的平均表现，即对空间关系、数量和因果关系的理解。特别是，因果认知（评估噪音和形状相关的因果关系和对工具属性的理解）在训练后有显著改善，而空间认知（评估空间记忆、物体持久性、旋转和换位）有改善的趋势。尽管有这些发现，我们训练的猴子都没有成功完成灵长类动物认知测试电池的工具使用任务，这涉及到一个不熟悉的工具。一些与训练相关的效果在35天的休息期后并没有持续，这表明持续的练习可能是必要的，或者休息前更长的训练时间可能需要更好地保持认知表现。与训练组相比，对照组在认知表现上没有表现出任何变化。这一发现为进一步研究工具使用行为与灵长类动物认知进化之间的联系铺平了道路。
Tool use relies on numerous cognitive functions, including sustained attention and understanding of causality. In this study, we investigated the effects of tool-use training on cognitive performance in primates. Specifically, we applied the Primate Cognition Test Battery to three long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at different stages of a training procedure that consisted of using a rake to retrieve out-of-reach food items. In addition, we evaluated a control group (n = 3) performing a grasping task, in order to account for possible effects related to a simple motor act. Our results showed that tool-use training enhances mean performance in the physical cognition domain, i.e. the understanding of spatial relations, numerosity and causality. In particular, causal cognition (evaluating noise- and shape-related causality and understanding of tool properties) showed significant improvement after training, whereas spatial cognition (evaluating spatial memory, object permanence, rotation and transposition) showed a trend to improvement. Despite these findings, none of our trained monkeys succeeded in the tool-use task of the Primate Cognition Test Battery, which involved an unfamiliar tool. Some training-related effects did not persist after a 35-day resting period, suggesting that continuous practice may be necessary, or that a longer training period before resting may be needed to better maintain cognitive performance. In contrast with the training group, the control group did not display any change in cognitive performance. This finding paves the way to further investigation into the link between tool-use behaviour and the evolution of primate cognition.