An automatic experimental apparatus to study arm reaching in New World monkeys.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Several species of the New World monkeys have been used as experimental models in biomedical and neurophysiological research. However, a method for controlled arm reaching tasks has not been developed for these species.

New method

We have developed a fully automated, pneumatically driven, portable, and reconfigurable experimental apparatus for arm-reaching tasks suitable for these small primates.

Results

We have utilized the apparatus to train two owl monkeys in a visually-cued arm-reaching task. Analysis of neural recordings demonstrates directional tuning of the M1 neurons.

Comparison with existing method(s)

Our apparatus allows automated control, freeing the experimenter from manual experiments.

Conclusion

The presented apparatus provides a

SUBMITTER: Yin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4839179 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature