Rats display considerable individual differences in performance of skilled reaching for food. Such variability in the normal performance of the rats intrudes upon the interpretation of many different experimental investigations in behavioral neuroscience. Understanding the origins of individual differences in skilled reaching performance of the rat provides insights into brain function, the evolution of skilled reaching, and also it helps optimizing preventative and therapeutic care. Although variability in skilled reaching is manifested in many studies, their origins remain poorly understood. The objective of the present thesis was to document the individual differences in skilled reaching for food in rats and to examine potential sources of individual differences in brain function. The present studies revealed that the difference in reaching success displayed by rats was a robust and constant feature in different conditions, emerged with practice and the motor cortex plays an important role in such variability / x, 241 leaves : ill., ; 29 cm

This thesis used a rodent model of skilled forelimb training and intracortical microstimulation to examine the relationship between learning and cortical reorganization. This thesis examines how reorganization is related to the specific changes in forelimb movements during learning. It also examines the role that task reptition plays in driving motor cortex reorganization and showed that once the skilled motor task had been acquired it was necessary to repeat the task sufficiently to produce motor cortex reorganiztion. This thesis also examines reorganization following skilled reach training was related to the consolidation of motor skill, finding that animals that learned the skilled reaching task after five days of training also showed cortical reorganization, which persisted for one month. These experiments show that the distribution and subsequent redistribution of movement representations within motor cortex is related to changes in motor performance that occur during motor training. / viii, 108 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-228). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Villanova University, 2008. / Psychology Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Mémoire (M. Ed.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1989. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Bibliography: p. 47.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1985. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 258-274).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Psychology, August 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

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