Related Experiment Videos
Drinking and eating elicited by cortical spreading depression
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 14, 1970
Summary
Cortical spreading depression in rats triggered aggressive behaviors like eating and exploration. These effects suggest subcortical motivational mechanisms may be activated or released from inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a wave of neural and glial depolarization.
- CSD is known to affect brain function and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral effects of unilateral and bilateral cortical spreading depression.
- To explore the role of subcortical motivational mechanisms in CSD-induced behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Single waves of CSD were induced in rats via electrophoretic injection of potassium ions into the occipital cortices.
- Unilateral and bilateral CSD were administered.
Main Results:
- CSD elicited aggressive and stereotyped eating, drinking, and exploratory behaviors.
- The onset of these behaviors ranged from 4 to 8 minutes post-injection.
Conclusions:
- CSD can induce significant behavioral changes, including motivated behaviors.
- These findings suggest that CSD may directly activate or cause rebound disinhibition of subcortical motivational systems.