Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: JOSÉ WANDERSON OLIVEIRA SILVA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : JOSÉ WANDERSON OLIVEIRA SILVA
DATE: 28/04/2021
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala Virtual PPgEEC
TITLE:

A behavioral box for analyzing the somatosensory system in tactile discrimination tasks

KEY WORDS:

Vibrissa; Somatosensory stimuli; Sensory Integration; Rodents; Behavioral box

PAGES: 56
BIG AREA: Ciências Exatas e da Terra
AREA: Ciência da Computação
SUBÁREA: Metodologia e Técnicas da Computação
SPECIALTY: Processamento Gráfico (Graphics)
SUMMARY:

Among the research work carried out with rodents in the area of Neuroscience, behavioral studies stand out. In order to carry out these studies, closed and controlled platforms are generally used in which the rodent is inserted, tasks being elaborated, depending on the study, which must be carried out. To study behavioral learning from tactile discrimination, for example, tasks often come with a reward usually following the reinforcement learning model. These platforms are commonly known as behavioral boxes. In this proposal, we aim to improve the methodologies and techniques used in this research area, developing new technologies for this type of study, including automation of some procedures with the behavioral box aimed at tactile discrimination tasks. We did some initial tests of a behavioral box, using a computational model of physical simulation, from which we designed a new structure for the platform, with the spaces and materials better elaborated, and using only components that can be bought on the market or developed easily. . We conjecture that this new structure for the behavioral box should improve the study of models related to the sensory motor system in a more refined way. For example, the planned platform should allow for more precise control of the opening of the discrimination bars, which is currently not done satisfactorily. The model used will also allow the design of more complex decision-making experiments using the camera and sensor system, allowing a better assessment of rodent performance. This includes improvements in determining the number of correct answers in the tasks performed in the studies in question. Therefore, as a main contribution, we believe that the present study will provide laboratories that work with this type of research to enjoy a low-cost and easily developed tool. All the material developed will be made available in a collaborative multi-user platform.

BANKING MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1345674 - LUIZ MARCOS GARCIA GONCALVES
Externo ao Programa - 1170845 - BRUNO MARQUES FERREIRA DA SILVA
Externo à Instituição - ANDERSON ABNER DE SANTANA SOUZA - UERN