The behavioral presentations of audio-visual integration in rats

Objective: To study whether the orientation behavior of rats is affected by multi-sensory information. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the audio-visual integration group and pure audio group. The orientation behaviors of rats were observed after given single modal and multi-modal sensory cues with spatial disparities. Results: We found that when the temporal and spatial audio cues were coincident to a target visual cue, the rats had a markedly reduced reaction time and increased success rate in orientation behaviors; there was an obvious audio-visual integration effect. The integration effect was more obvious when the intensity of target visual cue was weak, with the enhancement efficiency being (87.3 ± 8.5)%, significantly higher than that when the intensity of target visual cue was stronger (27.6%, P< 0.05). Conclusion: Rat auditory-visual integration behaviors also follow the multi-sensory integration rules.