Table 2 Protocols used to train rats and ferrets
Training stage | Rat | Ferret |
|---|---|---|
Pre-training | Association of centre nose-poke spout with reward. | Association of centre nose-poke spout with reward. |
Stage 1 | Centre nose-poke triggered flashing AV stimuli (250 ms duration) which was presented continuously until animals responded correctly. Incorrect response had no effect. Hold time gradually increased from 10 to 300 ms. Centre nose-poke gives no direct reward. | Centre nose-poke triggered flashing A or V stimuli (250 ms duration) which was presented continuously until animals responded. Incorrect trials triggered error signal of noise burst and light flash from all peripheral locations. Hold time gradually increased from 500 to 1000 ms. Gradual decrease to zero in centre reward probability. |
Stage 2 | Unimodal (A or V) stimuli gradually introduced, incorrect response ends trial and triggered 250 ms error sound (10 kHz pure tone) and timeout of 3.5 seconds. Hold time gradually increased to between 2.5 and 3.5 s. | Stimulus presented as 2 s single stimulus. Hold time gradually increased to between 2.5 and 3.5 s. |
