Biomaterial Database

Measurement of intracranial self-stimulation thresholds using the post-reinforcement pause. 1987

C H West, and R P Michael

Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30306.

A method for measuring the current threshold for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) using the post-reinforcement pause (PRP) is described. Rats trained to lever press on a fixed ratio schedule for ICSS in prefrontal cortex, medial forebrain bundle, ventral tegmental area or periaqueductal gray received stimuli of opposite polarity in an alternating fashion. Stimuli of one polarity were sufficient to maintain ICSS responding by themselves (maintaining stimuli). Stimuli of the other polarity were systematically varied in 5-10 microA steps (experimental stimuli). PRPs following both maintaining (Pm) and experimental (Pe) stimuli were measured, and the ratio Pm/Pe was calculated. The PRP threshold was defined as the lowest experimental stimulus current producing PRP ratios significantly less than the ratios produced by all lower current steps. After the PRP threshold for one polarity was determined in 5 daily sessions, the experimental and maintaining stimuli were reversed, and the PRP threshold was measured for the alternate polarity. Rates of ICSS on a continuous reinforcement schedule were subsequently measured at currents around the PRP threshold. Rates increased sharply at PRP threshold, suggesting a correlation between PRP threshold and reinforcement threshold. Similar results were obtained from all four ICSS sites indicating the broad applicability of the PRP threshold method.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008474	Medial Forebrain Bundle	A complex group of fibers arising from the basal olfactory regions, the periamygdaloid region, and the septal nuclei, and passing to the lateral hypothalamus. Some fibers continue into the tegmentum.	Median Forebrain Bundle,Bundle, Medial Forebrain,Bundle, Median Forebrain,Bundles, Medial Forebrain,Bundles, Median Forebrain,Forebrain Bundle, Medial,Forebrain Bundle, Median,Forebrain Bundles, Medial,Forebrain Bundles, Median,Medial Forebrain Bundles,Median Forebrain Bundles
D010487	Periaqueductal Gray	Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain.	Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D011919	Rats, Inbred Strains	Genetically identical individuals developed from brother and sister matings which have been carried out for twenty or more generations or by parent x offspring matings carried out with certain restrictions. This also includes animals with a long history of closed colony breeding.	August Rats,Inbred Rat Strains,Inbred Strain of Rat,Inbred Strain of Rats,Inbred Strains of Rats,Rat, Inbred Strain,August Rat,Inbred Rat Strain,Inbred Strain Rat,Inbred Strain Rats,Inbred Strains Rat,Inbred Strains Rats,Rat Inbred Strain,Rat Inbred Strains,Rat Strain, Inbred,Rat Strains, Inbred,Rat, August,Rat, Inbred Strains,Rats Inbred Strain,Rats Inbred Strains,Rats, August,Rats, Inbred Strain,Strain Rat, Inbred,Strain Rats, Inbred,Strain, Inbred Rat,Strains, Inbred Rat
D012054	Reinforcement, Psychology	The strengthening of a conditioned response.	Negative Reinforcement,Positive Reinforcement,Psychological Reinforcement,Reinforcement (Psychology),Negative Reinforcements,Positive Reinforcements,Psychological Reinforcements,Psychology Reinforcement,Psychology Reinforcements,Reinforcement, Negative,Reinforcement, Positive,Reinforcement, Psychological,Reinforcements (Psychology),Reinforcements, Negative,Reinforcements, Positive,Reinforcements, Psychological,Reinforcements, Psychology
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012653	Self Stimulation	The act or process of inducing or increasing the level of arousal in oneself. It can be observed in various situations; for example, infants who are understimulated may explore their surroundings or babble to themselves.(https://dictionary.apa.org/self-stimulation accessed 12/30/2020)	ICSS Intracranial Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulation,Self-Stimulation,Intracranial Self Stimulations,Self Stimulation, Intracranial,Self Stimulations,Self Stimulations, Intracranial,Self-Stimulations,Stimulation, Self,Stimulations, Self