Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
07:54
Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors
Published on: May 10, 2015
Rats do not experience cortical or hippocampal spreading depression as aversive
1Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague.
Neuroscience Letters
|January 12, 1993
Summary
Cortical spreading depression (SD) does not appear to be aversive. Studies in rats showed no avoidance behavior associated with cortical or hippocampal SD, suggesting it has no negative consequences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Cortical spreading depression (SD) is a phenomenon associated with migraine aura.
- The aversive nature of SD and its potential role in migraine symptoms require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aversive properties of cortical and hippocampal spreading depression (SD) in rats.
- To determine if SD elicits immediate or delayed negative consequences.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Rats underwent training in a step-through apparatus with repeated cortical SD elicited in one hemisphere.
- Experiment 2: Thirsty rats were trained to discriminate between two drinking spouts, with hippocampal SD elicited during drinking from one spout.
Main Results:
- Rats did not develop passive avoidance of a compartment where cortical SD was induced.
- Rats did not alter their preference for a drinking spout associated with hippocampal SD induction.
Conclusions:
- Cortical and hippocampal spreading depression (SD) do not appear to have immediate or delayed aversive effects in rats.
- SD may not be the primary cause of negative affective states associated with migraine headache.
