Footshock stress facilitates self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex but not the lateral hypothalamus in the rat.
The effects of stress on self-stimulation were investigated by exposing rats to either controllable, uncontrollable or no footshock. Both controllable and uncontrollable footshock increased medial prefrontal cortex self-stimulation rates immediately as well as 24 h following treatment. Controllable footshock produced a greater enhancement than uncontrollable footshock. In contrast, self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus was unaffected by either footshock treatment. These results are interpreted with reference to the neurochemical response of the mesocortical dopaminergic system to acute stress.
McGregor
I S
IS
Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
Balleine
B W
BW
Atrens
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D004597:Electroshock; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007026:Hypothalamic Area, Lateral / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011930:Reaction Time; D012653:Self Stimulation; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*