Shift of the catecholamine levels at stimulation of the hypothalamic emotiogenic zones

Abstract

Using models of electrical self-stimulation of the positive emotiogenic zones and stimulation of the negative emotiogenic zones of the hypothalamus in rats, we demonstrated that both these stimulations increase the noradrenaline level in the frontal cortex. This shows a normpecific nature of activation of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle, resulting from motivational excitation. When the frequency of self-stimulation reaction remained stable, activation of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle was moderate, and at decay of the above reaction it returned to the control level. Behavior connected with activation of the motor functions was characterized by an increase in the dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the caudate nucleus. In the globus pallidum, the dopamine content changed only under conditions of stimulation of the negative emotiogenic zones: these were an increase in the reaction of active avoidance and a decrease in passive avoidance.