Labryinthectomy is validated behaviorally with two simple tests: 1) the rat is inverted and a Plexiglas sheet apposed to its feet: intact rats right themselves to walk, but a labyrinthectomized rat, even though upside-down, will walk when its feet are in contact with a solid surface; 2) rats are inverted and then dropped 1 m onto a soft foam-rubber cushion: intact rats right themselves in midair and land on their feet, while lesioned rats make no attempt at righting and land on their dorsal side. | Labryinthectomy is validated behaviorally with two simple tests: 1) the rat is inverted and a Plexiglas sheet apposed to its feet: intact rats right themselves to walk, but a labyrinthectomized rat, even though upside-down, will walk when its feet are in contact with a solid surface; 2) rats are inverted and then dropped 1 m onto a soft foam-rubber cushion: intact rats right themselves in midair and land on their feet, while lesioned rats make no attempt at righting and land on their dorsal side. |