Neural systems activated by the aversive stimulation of dorsal central gray

Neural effects of aversive stimulation of dorsal central gray (DCG) were studied by [14C] 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiography in rats. After training the animals to escape DCG stimulation by pressing a lever, they were injected i.p. with [14C] 2-DG and then allowed to resume the escape lever pressing for DCG stimulation. Reliable effects of the brain stimulation on the autoradiogram were found in the dorsal fasciculus of Schütz, periventricular gray and superior colliculus. Moderate effects were found in the reticular formation near the periventricular gray and in the claustrum. These data indicate that the neural signal activated by DCG stimulation is transmitted through an ascending nerve pathway over the superior colliculus via the dorsal Schütz bundle and reaches the periventricular system in the diencephalon.