Behavioural repertory of cats without cerebral cortex from infancy

Abstract

Bilateral removal of the cerebral cortex was made in cats neonatally. Spontaneous and imposed behaviour was studied while they were growing up and after they had become adult. Special emphasis was put on the utilization of visual cues and on learning. The cats ate, drank and groomed themselves adequately. Adequate maternal and female sexual behaviour was observed. They utilized the visual and haptic senses with respect to external space. Two cats were trained to perform visual discrimination if a T-maze. The adequacy of the behaviour of these cats is compared to that of animals with similar lesions made at maturity.

What insects can tell us about the origins of consciousness

“…Integrative structures within the midbrain and basal ganglia, including the periaqueductal gray (P), substantia nigra (N), thalamus (Tha), striatum (St), and midbrain reticular formation (MR), integrate these sources of information (8, 33) (A). In advanced vertebrates the cortex and hippocampal structures clearly have a very strong input in to this system, but this midbrain system is not dependent on cortical inputs to function (140) and is highly conserved across all vertebrate lineages (33). location in space to collate and resolve competing motivations, prioritize resources, and select targets and actions (8,33).…”

The Contribution of Basal Forebrain to Limbic — Motor Integration and the Mediation of Motivation to Action

“…Descendin~ Limbic Si~nals To The Mesencephalic Locomotor Re~ion By Way Of The Subpallidal Area Animals deprived of cerebral cortex can perform adaptive behaviours such as eating, drinking, mating and nursing of young (Bjursten et al, 1976;Grillner, 1985) although some movements might be contextually inappropriate. This interesting finding has prompted us to consider the possibility of limbic signals integrated into behavioral acts through basal forebrain circuits that descend to the brainstem motor effector sites without cortical execution.…”

Interfacing a salamander brain with a salamander-like robot: Control of speed and direction with calcium signals from brainstem reticulospinal neurons

“…However, it is worth to note that kittens decorticated during their first weeks of life can walk, trot or gallop and show complex goal-directed behaviors, indicating that other networks (i.e. brainstem networks, see below) generate the locomotor commands [18]. Moreover, whether activity patterns of motor cortex neurons could be used in cases where no forelimb activity is available to elicit rhythmic feedback to the cortices remains to be resolved.…”