Measures of phototaxis and movement detection in the larval salamander.

In this investigation, we describe two precise tests of visual function that integrate quasinatural situations with time-lapse video recording and infrared computerized monitoring of activity to assess movement detection and phototaxic tendencies, respectively. Four groups of larvae from A. punctatum, A.

A longitudinal investigation of the effects of experience on the behavior of aging mice.

The effects of differential experience over most of the adult lifespan of mice were examined utilizing longitudinal designs. Repeated experience with nest building was contrasted with one-time only experience at various age levels from 4 to 24 months of age. The results suggest that the presence or absence of repeated exposure to nest building opportunities affects stability of nest building, while open field activity remains stable regardless of experience and vitality declines regardless of experience.

Age differences in the oxidation of and neural response to ethanol in mice.

Male mice (C57BL/6J) from three age groups, 4, 14, and 26 months, were tested to determine their oxidation rate of intragastrically infused ethanol and the response of the centrally mediated jaw-jerk reflex to ethanol challenge. There were no age-related differences in the rate of oxidation of ethanol. However, age differences in ethanol-induced decrement of the jaw-jerk amplitude were significant.