ISSN:
1573-8221
Keywords:
hypothalamus
;
motivation-emotiogenic centers
;
generator of pathologically enhanced excitation
;
determinant structure
;
tetanus toxin
;
neuropathological syndromes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Experiments on rabbits under free behavior conditions showed that injection of tetanus toxin into motivation-emotiogenic pacemaker regions of the hypothalamus, with the object of producing generators of pathologically enhanced excitation in those regions gives rise to stable and prolonged disturbances of the animals' motivational-emotional behavior. These changes were expressed as a marked increase in foodgetting activity by the animals, including an increase in “secondary motivational” responses, increased motor activity, the appearance of an excessive number of automated chewing movements, aggressiveness, a fear reaction, and the corresponding autonomic changes. The character of these responses depended on the region into which the toxin was injected and on its dose. Investigations showed that the formation of long-acting generators of pathologically enhanced excitation in motivation-emotiogenic pacemaker centers of the hypothalamus with the aid of tetanus toxin can be used to simulate psychopathological states in animals. The results confirm, by the use of this new model, the theory of generator mechanisms of neuropathological syndromes characterized by hyperactivity of systems.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00801105
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