Higher-order trace conditioning in newborn rabbits
- 1Sensory NeuroEthology Group, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, U1028, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche , UMR 5292, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lyon 1 University, Jean-Monnet University, Bron 69500, France
- 2FoodCircus Group, NutriNeuro Laboratory, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 1286, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux 33076, France
- Corresponding author: gerard.coureaud{at}cnrs.fr
Abstract
Temporal contingency is a key factor in associative learning but remains weakly investigated early in life. Few data suggest simultaneous presentation is required for young to associate different stimuli, whereas adults can learn them sequentially. Here, we investigated the ability of newborn rabbits to perform sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning using trace intervals between odor presentations. Strikingly, pups are able to associate odor stimuli with 10- and 30-sec intervals in sensory preconditioning and second-order conditioning, respectively. The effectiveness of higher-order trace conditioning in newborn rabbits reveals that very young animals can display complex learning despite their relative immaturity.
Footnotes
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Article is online at http://www.learnmem.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/lm.053607.122.
- Received May 9, 2022.
- Accepted August 17, 2022.
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