The role of caudate nucleus in dermorphin-induced catalepsy in rats

Bilateral electrolytic lesions of caudate nucleus were observed to potentiate the cataleptic response, and to prevent the muscular rigidity produced by intracerebroventricular injection or infusion of dermorphin. These results suggest that caudate nucleus plays an inhibitory role in controlling the cataleptic response and its integrity is essential for full development of dermorphin-induced rigidity.