Characteristics of the chemical sensitivity of cerebral cortical neurons at the stages of food-procuring behavior of cats as a function of the quality of reinforcement.

Abstract

The chemical sensitivity to the principal neuromediators of neurons of the visual area of the cerebral cortex was investigated at sequential stages of instrumental behavior in this study using the method of the microiontophoresis, in two experimental situations. In the first of these a portion of milk was used as the reinforcement; in the second, a portion of meat powder. It was demonstrated that the number of universal neurons decreases against the background of the application of norepinephrine and acetylcholine in behavioral acts with qualitatively different food reinforcements. At the same time, the number of neurons that are areactive at all stages of the behavior increases in the situation involving milk reinforcement, while it decreases in the situation involving meat reinforcement.