Behavioral effects of lesions of the medial septum of rats.

Abstract

7 Holtzman rats with electrolytic lesions of the medial septum and 5 operated controls, were observed over an extended period of time and tested in a variety of behavioral situations. The lesioned Ss were hyperplacid and showed increased sperm-plugging postoperatively. These Ss also demonstrated a marked deficit in spontaneous alternation and a depression in running-wheel activity. The results of a simple approach-learning task demonstrated enhanced acquisition and increased resistance to extinction for the experimental Ss. These findings were related to the septal mediation of hippocampal and extrahippocampal functions. (29 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)