Elsevier

Experimental Neurology

Volume 20, Issue 2, February 1968, Pages 215-227
Experimental Neurology

Avoidance and escape behavior following striatal lesions in the rat

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(68)90095-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The passive avoidance behavior of rats with bilateral lesions in either the corpus striatum or posterior neocortex was investigated on two tasks, one requiring the inhibition of a well-trained response, and the other the inhibition of a relatively untrained response. Additionally, the active avoidance behavior of rats with striatal, hippocampal, or posterior neocortical lesions was investigated. In the passive avoidance situation the rats with striatal lesions were impaired in the inhibition of a well-trained response, but not in the inhibition of a relatively untrained response. In the active avoidance situation those with striatal lesions were impaired in the acquisition of both avoidance and escape responses. It was suggested that the impaired performance of the experimental subjects was due to a deficit in the ability to make the necessary motor adjustments under stressful conditions.

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    This research was partially supported by USPHS grant No. 08545-03 to D. P. Kimble, and by research funds to R. J. Kirkby from the New South Wales Department of Health, with whose permission the paper is published. The authors express their appreciation for the technical assistance of Ruth BreMiller and Allan S. Tollow.

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