Alterations in Self-Grooming Sequences in the Rat as a Consequence of Hippocampal Damage
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1992
Description
The first purpose of the present experiments was to make a detailed study of the effects of hippocampal lesions on self-grooming behavior in rats. Hippocampal lesions decreased total grooming time and almost eliminated complete sequential grooming patterns, but increased open-field activity. Both hippocampal and neocortical lesions altered grooming in response to sucrose spray. The second purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the neurotoxin trimethyltin (TMT) with those produced by surgical destruction of the hippocampus. High doses of TMT, which produced extensive cell loss in the hippocampus, increased activity in the open field, but only moderate doses of TMT altered grooming. The results of the present study indicate that surgical removal of a large part of the hippocampus can disrupt a sequential, unlearned behavior. Furthermore, the behavioral effects of TMT cannot always be attributed to its neurotoxic action on the hippocampus.
Citation Information
Cannon, Richard L.; Paul, Daniel J.; Baisden, Ronald H.; and Woodruff, Michael L.. 1992. Alterations in Self-Grooming Sequences in the Rat as a Consequence of Hippocampal Damage. Psychobiology. Vol.20(3). 205-218. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332049 ISSN: 0889-6313