Rewarding brain stimulation, hippocampal activity, and footstomping in the gerbil

Ronald C. Kramis*, Aryeh Routtenberg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Eleven gerbils (Meriones) were tested for self-stimulation in posterior hypothalamic loci while hippocampal activity was monitored. Rewarding brain stimulation produced synchronization (theta) or regularization of hippocampal activity; no rebound of hippocampal desynchronization was observed immediately following termination of stimulation. Several seconds following termination of stimulation, however, "footstomping" behavior was observed. This activity was seen following, never during, rewarding brain stimulation. Hippocampal activity was most often desynchronized during this species-typical behavior pattern. Synchronization-desynchronization shifts in hippocampus previously thought to reflect reward-aversion were interpreted to reflect the participation of two mechanisms subserving, respectively, stimulus-related and motor-organizational processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7-8,IN1-IN2,9-11
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1969

Funding

All gerbils were observed for preoperative elicitation of footstomping by aversive footshock. The gerbils were then implanted stereotaxically with two bipolar nichrome electrodes directed ipsilaterally; one was aimed at lateral hypothalamus and the other was aimed at dorsal hippocampus. A single 1The research was supported, in part, by United States Public Health Service Contract MH 11991 to A.R. was a N.D.E.A. Predoctoral Fellow.

Keywords

  • Brain stimulation
  • Footstomping
  • Gerbil
  • Hippocampus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Medial forebrain bundle
  • Self-stimulation
  • Substantia nigra
  • Theta

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rewarding brain stimulation, hippocampal activity, and footstomping in the gerbil'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this