The effect of amygdaloid lesions on flight and defense behavior in cats

Abstract

The characteristics of flight and defense behavior in cats have been described in previous publications. Similar responses have been elicited by electrical stimulation of two separate zones within the amygdaloid complex. In the presented material, small bilateral lesions of the amygdala were produced electrolytically in six tame and nineteen wild stray cats. Postoperatively, previously wild cats showed loss or reduction of flight or defense behavior, or both. These two patterns of response could be reduced separately or in combination. Flight behavior was significantly reduced specifically by lesions of the flight zone, as defined by prior stimulation studies. No significant correlation was found between lesions of the similarly defined defense zone and a reduction of defense behavior. Neither type of behavioral change was seen postoperatively in the tame cats.