Abstract
Discrete bilateral electrolytic lesions destroying the lateral half of the cerebral peduncle and overlying substantia nigra at prerubral levels (which disjoin a pathway from the occipital cortex to the brainstem reticular formation) in the rat produced profound losses in retention of a brightness and a pattern discrimination habit. Lesions damaging the substantia nigra alone had significantly smaller effects on retention. These results, in conjunction with others, support the notion that a direct occipitoreticular pathway may be involved in the performance of visual discrimination habits, possibly serving in attention to visual cues, visuomotor integration, and/or formation of visual engrams.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Hayhow, W. R., Webb, C, & Jervie, A. The accessory optic fiber system in the rat. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1960, 115, 187–215.
Howze, M. A., & Thompson, R. Disconnecting occipitoreticular projections: Amnestic effects on a visual habit in the rat. Psychonomic Science, 1972, 27, 143–145.
Knook, H.L. The fibre-connections of the forebrain. Philadelphia: Davis, 1966.
Thompson, R., & Bryant, J. H. Memory as affected by activity of the relevant receptor. Psychological Reports, 1955, 1, 393–400.
Thompson, R., & Craddock, S. N. Lateral cerebral peduncle lesions: Amnestic effects on a visual habit in the rat. Psychonomic Science, 1972, 27, 140–142.
Thompson, R., & Thome, B. M. Brainstem reticular formation lesions: Amnestic effects on learned habits in the rat. Physiological Psychology, 1973, 1, 61–70.
Valverde, F. Reticular formation of the albino rat’s brainstem cytoarchitecture and corticofugal connections. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 1962, 119, 25–53.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by a grant from the Graduate Council on Research, Louisiana State University.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thompson, R., Howze, M.A. & Pucheu, J.H. The lateral pedunculo-nigral area and visual discrimination performance in the white rat. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 2, 83–84 (1973). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327722
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327722