[Hypothalamic neurons and defensive reflexes]

Abstract

Identified groups of neurons in positive (the lateral hypothalamic area, the lateral preoptic area) and negative (the ventromedial hypothalamus) emotional regions were examined under the different levels of food motivation and emotionally positive and negative intracranial stimulation. The responses of the neurons in classical and operant conditioning were different. This difference was manifested in tonic (during location of the animal into the chamber) and phasic alterations of neuronal activity and at certain stages of conditioned reflex performance. During classical conditioning were revealed the reciprocal relations in unit activity of the positive and negative emotional structures. During the operant reflex more complicated pattern of reactions was observed being connected with realization of a necessity of removing from the negative influences. During defensive reflex in the cases of classical conditioning and avoidance reaction reinforcement was related with engaging the negative emotional mechanisms while in the course of escape reaction the positive emotional mechanism being engaged.