Behavior “attention” and fear induced by cortical stimulation in the cat

Abstract

1. 1. The cerebral cortical areas have been determined from which a behavior “attention” response can be induced by stimulation in the unanesthetized cat. Three components may be distinguished in this behavior pattern: (i) arrest of all ongoing spontaneous movements; (ii) increased alertness; and (iii) orienting movements towards the contralateral side (fig. 1). The response is probably identical with the “orienting reflex” described by Pavlov. 2. 2. The responsive areas include: (i) the cortex of the medial frontal surface, the cingulate and hippocampal gyri; (ii) the intermediate lateral frontal cortex; (iii) a large temporo-occipital field; (iv) the orbito-insular-temporal polar region; and (v) a weaker parietal field. These cortical zones correspond to those from which a generalized electrocortical activation have been elicited in the cat and monkey (fig. 3 A-B and 4 A-B). Cytoarchitectonically, they appear to be related to the “limitropic” type of association cortex (fig. 4E-F). 3. 3. The positive areas coincide with those previously known to produce inhibition of spontaneous movements, various autonomic effects and contraversion (fig. 3 C-D and 4 C-D). These responses, obtained under anesthesia, are interpreted as parts of the complex behavior “attention” pattern evoked in the unanesthetized animal. 4. 4. Fear resulted from stimulation of the cingulate and temporo-occipital cortex. Its relation to fear in epileptic seizures is discussed.