Thalamic structures critical for retention of an avoidance conditioned response in rats.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine by the lesion method which thalamic nuclei are critical in the maintenance of an avoidance conditioned response. After being trained to make a jumping response to the onset of a tone or light, 62 rats were subjected to bilateral electrolytic lesions in various parts of the thalamus. Retention scores revealed that damage to either the diffuse thalamic nuclei or the dorsomedial nucleus significantly impaired postoperative performance of both visual and auditory habits. Similar effects were obtained following anterior cortical ablation. Lesions confined to the medial pretectal diencephalon (nucleus posterior thalami) interfered with the visual task only. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)