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Lesions in corpus striatum and cortex of rat brains and the effect on pharmacologically induced stereotyped, aggressive and cataleptic behaviour

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Abstract

Large bilateral lesions affecting 30–90% of the corpus striatum inhibit stereotyped behaviour in rats injected subcutaneously with amphetamine, but do not prevent rage reactions induced by injection of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor followed by injection of l-dopa. The stereotyped phase normally following this rage reaction is, however, absent in the operated rats. Small bilateral lesions in the corpus striatum (5–20%) cause a modified amphetamine stereotypy and prevent the usual cataleptic behaviour produced by subsuctaneous injection of a neuroleptic drug (perphenazine). Additional ablation of the overlying dorsal cortex enhances these behavioural effects without qualitative changes. Both amphetamine and neuroleptics seem thus to mediate their behavioural effects through dopaminergic mechanisms in the corpus striatum.

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Fog, R., Randrup, A. & Pakkenberg, H. Lesions in corpus striatum and cortex of rat brains and the effect on pharmacologically induced stereotyped, aggressive and cataleptic behaviour. Psychopharmacologia 18, 346–356 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402761

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402761

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