Sleep deprivation and the rodent psychomotor vigilance test (rPVT): Assessing lapses in attention, the response stimulus interval effect, and time on task in rats using food reinforcement

Abstract Study objective Sleep deprivation (SD) impairs sustained attention when assessed with the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT). Food restriction attenuates the effects of SD on sustained attention in rats, possibly limiting translation of rodent tests. Our goal was to determine if an rPVT requiring high baseline performance was sensitive to the effects of SD when using food restriction and reinforcement. Methods rPVT-trained rats experienced SD and were tested the following day. Results SD significantly increased lapses, and this effect was specific to shorter response-stimulus intervals. Decreased percent correct responses and increased slow reaction times were also found following SD. Conclusion The rPVT is sensitive to the performance impairing effects of SD in food restricted rats, a common methodology used to train and maintain performance on operant tests.