The touchscreen operant platform for assessing cognitive functions in a rat model of depression.

In the present study we assessed alterations in cognitive functions in a chronic mild stress (CMS) rat model of depression. Cognitive functions were assessed in two different tasks applying the translational operant platform touchscreen technology; the visual discrimination/acquisition task was used to assess the ability to perceive and distinguish visual stimuli and to assess associative stimulus-reward learning. The visual discrimination/reversal learning task was used to assess functional brain plasticity or reprogramming of previously acquired stimulus-reward associations.