TY - JOUR
T1 - Behavior of chronically decerebrated kittens
AU - Bignall, K. E.
AU - Schramm, L.
N1 - Funding Information:
Because the behavior of chronic mesencephalic cats is limited to only uncoordinated fragments of agonistic, appetitive and other stereotyped behavioral patterns (l), it is generally assumed that the function of the mammalian central nervous system caudal to the prbsencephalon is limited to control of only the rudiments of behavior and some homeostatic regulations. The paucity of residual function exhibited by chronic decerebrate monkeys (3) supports this view. There are, however, indications that previous studies on adult, decerebrate carnivores have failed to fully demonstrate 1 This research was supported by Grants 05713 and 17998 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. Dr. Schramm’s present address is: Department of Bio-Medical Engineering, Traylor Hall, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205. The technical assistance of Joyce Palmer is gratefully acknowledged.
PY - 1974/3
Y1 - 1974/3
N2 - Kittens were decerebrated within 1 wk after birth and the subsequent development of functional capacity of these mesencephalic animals was observed for up to 2 mo. The only detectable immediate deficit was that sucking behavior was abolished. Ingestion of solid foods and lapping of milk, however, developed at weaning age. These were reflex in nature and and required contact of the lips with the food. Development of temperature regulation was impaired only slightly. Auditory reflexes, placing reactions, defense reactions, and many other types of behavior except visual recognition and socialization developed in nearly normal chronological order. In most animals some aspects of behavior were exaggerated. Hyperkinesis, hypermetria, compulsive climbing, and exaggerated prey behavior were frequently observed. The findings suggest that many aspects of behavior and regulatory processes generally thought to be organized primarily in the prosencephalon originate instead in the mesencephalon and more caudal structures and, during ontogeny, become increasingly dependent upon subsequently developing descending synaptic inputs.
AB - Kittens were decerebrated within 1 wk after birth and the subsequent development of functional capacity of these mesencephalic animals was observed for up to 2 mo. The only detectable immediate deficit was that sucking behavior was abolished. Ingestion of solid foods and lapping of milk, however, developed at weaning age. These were reflex in nature and and required contact of the lips with the food. Development of temperature regulation was impaired only slightly. Auditory reflexes, placing reactions, defense reactions, and many other types of behavior except visual recognition and socialization developed in nearly normal chronological order. In most animals some aspects of behavior were exaggerated. Hyperkinesis, hypermetria, compulsive climbing, and exaggerated prey behavior were frequently observed. The findings suggest that many aspects of behavior and regulatory processes generally thought to be organized primarily in the prosencephalon originate instead in the mesencephalon and more caudal structures and, during ontogeny, become increasingly dependent upon subsequently developing descending synaptic inputs.
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U2 - 10.1016/0014-4886(74)90075-2
DO - 10.1016/0014-4886(74)90075-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 4828673
AN - SCOPUS:0016374280
SN - 0014-4886
VL - 42
SP - 519
EP - 531
JO - Experimental Neurology
JF - Experimental Neurology
IS - 3
ER -