Application of infrared detection in the recording of eyelid movements in rabbits

Classical conditioning of the eyelid reflex has been used for a long time to study associative learning in animals and humans. A new experimental procedure for rabbit’s eyelid conditioning was constructed and described. A phonopneumatic stimulator generated conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and a photoelectric transducer acting in close infrared converted movements of rabbits’ eyelid to electric signals. An example of acquisition and extinction training is illustrated. This method of eyelid movement monitoring is noninvasive. It may be useful for chronic studies of learning processes in rabbits when used with headpieces for microdialysis probes, electrodes or cannulas which could be implanted into brain structures.