Simple Method for CER Conditioning and Measurement

Abstract

The effect of Pavlovian fear CSs on water drinking by thirsty rats was studied after fear conditioning with several procedures. Forward conditioning produced typical CER suppression of drinkometer-recorded licking, but backward conditioning and other Pavlovian control procedures did not. Effective CER suppression was demonstrated after 4 conditioning trials with a 1-trial test procedure. This is apparently the most simple and rapid technique available for evaluating CER suppression of ongoing responding.