[Neuronal activity of the head of the caudate nucleus during formation of positive and inhibitory motor alimentary conditioned reflexes in cats]

Abstract

Cellular activity of the caudate nucleus head was studied on 15 cats during motor alimentary conditioning, extinction and elaboration of differentiation response. Analysis of the dynamics of the appearance and stabilization of neuronal conditioned responses attests that the caudate nuclei are a part of the morpho-functional structure of the given conditioned reflex. A functional heterogeneity within the nuclels head has been shown on the basis of responses of the cells during conditioned and unconditioned behaviour. It has been assumed that cellular populations of the ventral segment of the caudate nucleus head are predominantly involved in providing for a normal course of the processes of extinction and detection of significant signals in this form of conditioned alimentary behaviour in cats.