Investigation of Neurophysiological Procedures for the Detection of Explosives
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether rats, exposed to the odors emanating from TNT, demonstrate differential cortical frequency spectra (CFS) if these odors are reinforced by electrical brain stimulation (EBS) in the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). Forty three male albino rats, were surgically prepared by stereotaxically implanting a bipolar, stainless steel, stimulating electrode into the MFB, and attaching two cortical surface electrodes for recording CFS. Except for several rates who died (from ingesting toxic matter), or lost their electrical skull caps, almost every rat showed: (a) behavioral, (b) neurophysiological, or (c) both behavioral and neurophysiological indices of the ability to respond differentially to the odorants emanating from TNT in contrast to control odorants (e.g., asphalt, pine sawdust, room air). The behavioral indices comprised pressing a bar to receive an EBS when TNT was present and to refrain from such behavior in the presence of the control odorants. The neurophysiological indices were changes in the CFS obtained during TNT stimulation in comparison with CFS obtained prior to training or during control odorant stimulation. Rats can demonstrate the presence of TNT by modification of their brain response or, behaviorally, by pressing a bar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA139235
Entities
People
- Sidney Weinstein