Effects of BT-melanin on recovery of operant conditioned reflexes in rats after ablation of the sensorimotor cortex

Abstract

An increase in corticofugal plasticity was demonstrated in adult rats after unilateral ablation of the sensorimotor cortex accompanied by intramuscular administration of low concentrations of BT-melanin solution. The result was acceleration of the process of compensatory recovery in the central nervous system, this being supported by the rapid recovery of a previously acquired operant conditioned reflex and movement of the paralyzed limb as compared with control animals. It is suggested that compensation of the motor deficit arising after ablation of the sensorimotor cortex is mediated by the ability of the two major motor systems of the brain - the corticospinal and the corticorubrospinal - to exhibit mutual substitution of their functions. This phenomenon of the functional switching of descending influences also occurred in rats of the control group not exposed to BT-melanin. However, the difference between the recovery times of the operant conditioned reflex and limb movement in the control and experimental groups provided evidence of an apparent acceleration in these processes as a result of BT-melanin. These results suggest that low concentrations of BT-melanin may have applied uses.