Suppression of attack behavior in cats by stimulation of ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens

Low frequency (6 pps) stimulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NA) produced EEG synchronization and suppressed attack behavior elicited by hypothalamic stimulation. Both quiet biting and affective attack with rage were suppressed. Autonomic and non-directed somatic motor components of the attack reaction were unaffected. High frequency (60 pps) stimulation of VTA failed to suppress any components of the attack reaction; high frequency stimulation of NA, however, did produce suppression of attack. Low frequency (6 pps) sensory stimulation, delivered by photic or lateral geniculate stimulation, produced EEG synchronization but failed to cause suppression of attack. These results indicate that low frequency stimulation per se does not cause suppression of ongoing behavior. This study demonstrates that VTA and NA, components of the mesolimbic dopamine system, are involved in the inhibition of emotional-type behaviors.