CORTICAL MODULATION OF SPONTANEOUS ACTIVITY DURING HUNGER AND THIRST

Effects of bilateral removal of the frontal poles on 2 forms of spontaneous activity of rats were tested under ad-lib conditions and during hunger or thirst. With food and water available, the frontal lesions increased spontaneous wheel running but had no effects on daily stabilimeter activity. However, the normal increases seen in stabilimeter activity during starvation were greatly potentiated. The lesions did not alter the typical effects of water deprivation in either situation. These effects could not be attributed to increases in the incentive-motivational properties of food deprivation, since the frontal lesions decreased bar pressing for food. Instead, the activity results were interpreted in terms of a reactive model of cerebral functioning. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.