Electrical stimulation of the rostral medial prefrontal cortex in rabbits inhibits the expression of conditioned eyelid responses but not their acquisition.

摘要: We have studied the role of rostral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) on reflexively evoked blinks and classically conditioned eyelid responses in alert-behaving rabbits. The mPFC was identified by its afferent projections from half thalamic mediodorsal nuclear complex. Classical conditioning consisted a delay paradigm using 370-ms tone as stimulus (CS) 100-ms air puff directed at left cornea unconditioned (US). CS coterminated with US. Electrical train stimulation contralateral produced significant inhibition air-puff-evoked blinks. same presented during CS–US interval for 10 successive sessions significantly reduced generation (CRs) compared values reached control animals. Interestingly, percentage CRs almost when removed fifth session on. electrical well animals decrease CRs. Moreover, also able to modify kinematics (latency, amplitude, velocity) These results suggest that is potent inhibitor eyeblinks but activation prevents only expression CRs, not their latent acquisition. Functional behavioral implications this inhibitory are discussed.