NON-CONDITIONABILITY OF THE FLEXOR REFLEX IN THE CHRONIC SPINAL DOG.
Abstract
An attempt was made to classically condition the flexor reflex of three adult dogs upon whom a complete lower thoracic spinal transection was performed 12 to 15 months prior to the experiment. The CS consisted of a pulsatory pressure to the tail--a demonstrable and quantifiable neutral stimulus. A maximum of 2500 conditioning trials and 500 test trials yielded no recordable CRs. In addition, no CRs were elicited in the following sessions in which the sensitivity of the flexor reflex was increased by subcutaneous injections of 0.066 mg/kg of strychnine sulfate. Hence, the integrity of supraspinal as well as intraspinal pathways appears to be necessary for classical conditioning of a spinal reflex. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0680914
Entities
People
- Abraham Wilker
- Andree J. Lloyd
- James M. Whitehouse
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory