Fos expression following self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex

Self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex and medial forebrain bundle appears to be mediated by different directly activated fibers. However, reward signals from the medial prefrontal cortex do summate with signals from the medial forebrain bundle, suggesting some overlap in the underlying neural circuitry. We have previously used Fos immunohistochemistry to visualize neurons activated by rewarding stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle. In this study, we assessed Fos immunolabeling after self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Among the structures showing a greater density of labeled neurons in the stimulated hemisphere were the prelimbic and cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, lateral preoptic area, substantia innominata, lateral hypothalamus, anterior ventral tegmental area, and pontine nuclei. Surprisingly, little or no labeling was seen in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus or the locus coeruleus. Double immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase and Fos showed that within the ventral tegmental area, a substantial proportion of dopaminergic neurons did not express Fos. Despite previous suggestions to the contrary, comparison of the present findings with those of our previous Fos studies reveals a number of structures activated by rewarding stimulation of both the medial prefrontal cortex and the medial forebrain bundle. Some subset of activated cells in the common regions showing Fos-like immunoreactivity may contribute to the rewarding effect produced by stimulating either site.