Accurate timing but increased impulsivity following excitotoxic lesions of the subthalamic nucleus.

Full Abstract

Several lines of evidence have implicated the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in behaviors that require precise temporal control. In order to investigate this possibility further, we trained rats to perform a peak-interval (PI) timing task [S. Roberts, Isolation of an internal clock, J. Exp. Psychol. Anim. B 7 (1981) 242-268] with two durations (10 s and 40 s), and then lesioned the STN by microinjection of ibotenic acid. Lesioned animals were able to maintain precise temporal control, yet were unable to inhibit operant responses late in the trial, at times that were unlikely to yield reinforcement. These results indicate the involvement of the STN in impulsive or perseverative response inhibition, but not in temporal processing.

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Author information

Author/s: Wiener, Martin (M); Magaro, Christopher M (CM); Matell, Matthew S (MS);

Affiliation: Villanova University, Department of Psychology, USA. wimartin(-atsign-)mail.med.upenn.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 440 (issue 2) : pp 176-80

Dates: Created 2008/06/23; Completed 2008/09/15;

PMID: 18562098, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Behavior, Animal - drug effects; physiology
Conditioning, Operant - drug effects; physiology
Ibotenic Acid - administration & dosage; toxicity
Impulsive Behavior - physiopathology; psychology
Inhibition (Psychology)
Male

Male
Motor Activity - drug effects; physiology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Reaction Time - drug effects; physiology
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Subthalamic Nucleus - drug effects; physiology

Associated Chemicals: Ibotenic Acid (2552-55-8)

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