Direct brain stimulation enables training of complex behaviors in freely roaming animals

Abstract

Operant conditioning procedures typically incorporate a discrimination-learning task in which animals are trained to produce certain actions in response to external cues. The need to physically control the real-world events (cues and rewards) necessary for such learning, however, can often limit the scope of operant conditioning. Here we show that using brain microstimulation to directly deliver both sensory cues and rewards alleviates such constraints, and enables conditioning approaches that help transcend traditional boundaries in animal learning. We applied this "virtual" learning paradigm to develop a behavioral model in which an operator, using a wireless multichannel stimulator, was able to steer distant animals (rats) in the manner of "intelligent" robots. The powerful control exerted over the animals behavior suggests that such models could find use not only in neurophysiological study but also in mobile robotics.