Parameters related to response rate for septal and medial forebrain bundle stimulation.

Abstract

Four rats were trained to bar press for self-stimulation on continuous reinforcement and 4 on a fixed ratio of 5:1. Response rate was recorded for 112 combinations of duration and amperage of stimulation on both septal and medial forebrain (MFB) electrodes presented to each S over a 28-day period. Rates for septal stimulation were consistently lower than for MFB stimulation. The most effective duration for MFB stimulation depended upon amperage and was longer for the fixed ratio schedule. The data are interpreted as indicating that total charge on the tissue (microcoulombs) is one determinant of self-stimulation rate.