LESION-INDUCED DISSOCIATIONS BETWEEN APPETITIVE AND CONSUMMATORY GROOMING BEHAVIORS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO BODY WEIGHT AND FOOD INTAKE RHYTHMS

To specify possible rhythmic changes in physiological variables concomitant with the alternating behavioral states, body weight and food intake were monitored for 1 yr. in 6 normal and 4 brainstem lesioned cats. Mathematical models were fitted to the body weight and food intake data, and statistical tests of the fits were made. Both normal and lesioned Ss exhibited similar rhythms in body weight and food intake. The changes in behavioral state, present only in the lesioned Ss, were systematically related to the normal rhythm, with onsets of the abnormal behavioral state occurring on ascending or peak portions of the rhythm and reversions to normal on descending or trough portions of the rhythm. (29 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.