Sensorimotor dysfunctions and aphagia and adipsia following pallidal lesions in rats.

Abstract

Studied the effect of lesions in the pallidum or the adjacent putamen of 64 male holtzman albino rats. Unilateral lesions of the globus pallidus selectively blocked lever pressing with the forelimb contralateral to the lesion. This deficit was associated with other signs of sensorimotor impairment. 1- or 2-stage bilateral lesions of the pallidum also produced a transient aphagia and adipsia. Cortical ablation indicated that the fronto cortical system of fibers that passes through the pallidum was not critical for either the sensorimotor deficit in forelimb movement or consummatory deficits. Electrical stimulation of the pallidum sustained self-stimulation and induced various motoric responses but did not evoke consummatory behavior. Results suggest a sensorimotor component in the lesion-induced disturbances in consummatory behavior. (29 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)