The relation between pulse frequency, intensity, duration and the rate of responding for intracranial stimulation.

Abstract

Rats were run in a lever-pressing situation with square-wave stimulation of the hypothalamus as reward on a 16-sec. VI schedule. Rate of responding increased to a maximum with increases of current, pulse frequency, or of pulse duration. Rate decreased with further increase in current, and remained constant with further increase in pulse duration. With constant pulse duration, rate is a function of amount of charge per stimulation, independent of current and frequency conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)