DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i02.001

Pages: 449-456

Rat exhibits two types of learning strategies on Plus Maze: Place Learning and Response Learning strategies which are coded by medial temporal lobe (e.g. hippocampus) and dorsal striatum (caudate-putamen) respectively. In this study, we investigated the ‘Place vs Response’ learning strategies of 12 young (4 months of age) male wistar rats. 5 rats out of 12 rats exhibited Place Learning strategy while 7 rats out of 12 rats exhibited Response Learning strategy. They were divided into two groups: one group with fixed reward location and other group with alternate reward location. On extended training during repeated trials with fixed reward location, rats exhibited more pronounced Response Learning behaviour. Moreover, previously Place Learners started to shift into Response Learning strategy. In other group with alternate reward location, rats became more dependent on the Place Learning strategy. Even, the previous Response Learner started to exhibit Place Learning strategy. We conclude that Place and Response Learning strategies of rat are quite flexible and rat quickly adopts the best learning strategy for the adequate solution. On fixed reward paradigm in the Plus Maze, rat forms a Stimulus-Response Habit of turning the body on the same side again and again on repeated trials very successfully. But with alternating reward paradigm, rat follows the general principle of the task adopting Place Learning strategies. This concept of learning strategies can also be applied in cognitive fields like education and training programme as well as understanding pathophysiologic basis of learning disorders.