Exploration and avoidance learning after ibotenic acid and radio frequency lesions in the rat amygdala

Behavioral and Neural Biology
F K Jellestad, I Garcia Cabrera

Abstract

Open-field activity, avoidance behavior, and plasma corticosterone levels were studied after intraamygdala injections of 3.0 micrograms ibotenic acid (IBO) and radio-frequency (RF) lesions in the amygdala complex of male Wistar rats. The experiments were undertaken to evaluate the importance of amygdala neurons versus axons of passage in fear-motivated behavior. The IBO lesions led to increased open-field activity, but no impairments in active avoidance learning, nor changes in basal or experimental levels of plasma corticosterone. The RF lesions, on the other hand, led to an increase in experimental plasma corticosterone levels. In the one-way avoidance task the RF lesions, in contrast to the IBO lesions, led to significant impairments in the acquisition of the avoidance response. Although the long-term axon-sparing effect of IBO is questioned since cavities were detected in the affected areas 8 weeks after the injections, the differences in avoidance learning and in corticosterone levels between the RF and the IBO lesions indicate that the axons were functionally active at the time of testing (14-26 days postoperatively). The increase in open-field activity is attributed to the destruction of amygdala neurons and neurons in t...Continue Reading

References

Jan 15, 1977·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·J E Krettek, J L Price
Feb 1, 1979·Physiology & Behavior·T B van Wimersma GreidanusH Bouman
Jun 1, 1979·Physiology & Behavior·F Eclancher, P Karli
Dec 1, 1977·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·L T Yeudall, R E Walley
Mar 15, 1978·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·J E Krettek, J L Price
Jun 30, 1978·Brain Research·S M WuertheleK E Moore
Aug 1, 1978·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·T WerkaH Ursin
Apr 15, 1977·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·J E Krettek, J L Price
Aug 1, 1977·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·G D CooverJ P Heybach
Feb 1, 1975·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·S P GrossmanL Walsh
Oct 1, 1973·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·G CooverS Levine
Aug 1, 1973·British Journal of Psychology·P A Russell
May 1, 1971·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·K R Jonason, L J Enloe
Feb 1, 1966·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·J S Schwartzbaum, P E Gay
Apr 1, 1966·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·J J McNew, R Thompson
May 1, 1980·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·R ZaczekJ T Coyle
Oct 1, 1963·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·E ROBINSON
Aug 1, 1964·Psychological Bulletin·G V GODDARD

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 15, 2002·Brain Research Bulletin·Terence V Sewards, Mark A Sewards
May 26, 2009·Behavioural Brain Research·Frédéric ChauveauDaniel Béracochéa
Dec 24, 1991·Brain Research·C TomazJ L McGaugh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.

Basal Forebrain & Food Avoidance

Neurons in the basal forebrain play specific roles in regulating feeding. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to the basal forebrain and food avoidance.

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.