Identification of Sequence Learning in Rhesus Macaques through Infrared Eye Tracking Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
Identification of Sequence Learning in Rhesus Macaques through Infrared Eye Tracking
By Termpanit Chalermpalanupap

Studies in both humans and monkeys have demonstrated that eye-movements can be useful in the investigation of memory for temporal sequences. For example, a study used non-invasive infrared eye-tracking to observe eye movements while human infants watched videos depicting a sequence of actions. The results suggested that infants made a significant number of anticipatory looks with repeated presentations. The present study aims to replicate this finding in an animal model using Rhesus macaques. In Experiment 1, 3 monkeys were shown repetitions of video sequences while their eye movements were tracked with an infrared camera. Eye-movements that were anticipatory for objects that would move 3 steps in advance and 1 step in advance were examined, along with the number of eye-movements that were directed toward moving objects and distracter (non-moving) objects. A comparison between the initial viewing of the video and subsequent viewings revealed significant differences in the percentages of anticipatory looks for both3- and 1- step intervals, as well as the ratio of moving to distracter objects. In Experiment 2, the effects of familiarizing the monkeys with the video objects on sequence learning were examined. The monkeys performed a delayed match to sample (DMS) task, using the video objects as stimuli, one day prior to being tested on the video task. The results from Experiment 2 revealed that there was no significant effect of the DMS pretreatment on sequence learning. The analyses suggest that, similar to human infants, monkeys demonstrate sequence learning as measured by anticipatory eye-movements. Accordingly, this task could be used, along with neurophysiological techniques, to investigate the neural correlates of sequence learning.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction…………………………………………………………………….1
Methods…………………………………………………………………….……7
Results………………………………………………………………….………12
Discussion…………………………………………………………….…..…..16
References…………………………………………………………………….20
Tables and Figures

Table 1……………………………………………………………………….…25
Figure 1………………………………………………………………………..26
Figure 2………………………………………………………………………..27
Figure 3………………………………………………………………………..28
Figure 4………………………………………………………………………..29
Figure 5………………………………………………………………………..30
Figure 6………………………………………………………………………..31
Figure 7………………………………………………………………………..32
Figure 8………………………………………………………………………..33
Figure 9………………………………………………………………………..34
Figure 10……………………………………………………………………....35
Figure 11……………………………………………………………………....36
Figure 12……………………………………………………………………....37
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Figure 14……………………………………………………………………....39
Figure 15………………………………………………………….……...……40

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Degree	BS
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Neuroscience
Keyword	memory sequence learning monkeys eye-tracking
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Buffalo, Elizabeth, Emory University
Committee Members	Frenzel, Kristen E, Emory University Bauer, Patricia, Emory University Keyes, Corey, Emory University

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