A Behavioral Study on the Adult Marmoset Interference Control in Spatial Working Memory

Interference control deficit in Working Memory (WM) is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is an ideal non-human animal model for studying WM disorders. Previous studies of marmoset WM have used a touch-screen self-ordered sequencing task (SOST), which resembles an n-back paradigm and targets updating processes in internal interference control. However, the training time for the marmoset to reach proficiency on this paradigm is long given the short marmoset lifespan. In an attempt to accelerate marmoset learning of the task, we developed a new version of SOST that relied on foraging behaviour. The goal of this project was to validate an experimental design that resembles the naturalistic environment of the animal and speed up the learning phase of training. A below chance performance was observed. Two task-related issues were identified that could be the reason for poor performance. The training levels were modified to resolve the weaknesses of the task.

Name thesis:degree_name

M Sc

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Neuroscience

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Khosravi Najafabadi, Mohadese

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Morton, J. Bruce
• Martinez-Trujillo, Julio

• Spatial working memory
• internal interference control
• n-back task
• self-ordered sequencing task
• the common marmoset
• neurodevelopmental disorders

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/31827

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/31827