Timed Sequence Task: A New Paradigm to Study Motor Learning and Flexibility in Mice.

ABSTRACT: Motor learning and flexibility allow animals to perform routine actions efficiently while keeping them flexible. A number of paradigms are used to test cognitive flexibility, but not many of them focus specifically on the learning of complex motor sequences and their flexibility. While many tests use operant or touchscreen boxes that offer high throughput and reproducibility, the motor actions themselves are mostly simple presses of a designated lever. To focus more on motor actions during the operant task and to probe the flexibility of these well trained actions, we developed a new operant paradigm for mice, the "timed sequence task." The task requires mice to learn a sequence of lever presses that have to be emitted in precisely defined time limits. After training, the required pressing

SUBMITTER: Urushadze A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10552695 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature