Haptic Interface for Brain Research in Motor Learning

Abstract

The goal of this project is to eliminate undesired sound cues during the delivery of food pellets to research rats. Unnecessary mechanical noise currently accompanies food delivery, cuing the rats to the incoming pellet before it arrives. Evidence has shown that the sound cues influence neural response of the rats, thus, affecting the research of our sponsor. Our objective is to redesign the dispenser setup to eliminate any unwanted cues (sound, smell, vibration, etc.), while maintaining current functionality. In so doing, the neural response of rats to receiving reward can be isolated and studied more accurately.