SOME BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF STIMULATION OF THE CAUDATE NUCLEUS IN UNRESTRAINED CATS

Abstract

The effects of stimulation of the caudate nuclei of completely unrestrained cats are described. The responses observed depend critically upon the frequency of stimulation; unilateral caudate stimulation showed "arrest" of movement at the lowest frequencies, which gave place to a contraversive turning and circling as the frequency was raised. Bilateral stimulation gave only "arrest" at all frequencies tested, but the animals could be induced to circle to either side by a sudden distracting stimulus. The possible pathways involved in these responses are considered, and the conclusion is reached that "arrest" and circling depend upon two different neural routes.