The Role of Neurons in the Orbitofrontal Cortex and Subthalamic Nucleus in Maintaining Intersignal Reactions in “Impulsive” and “Self-Controlled” Behavior

Abstract

Impulsivity is one of the most important symptoms of a whole series of mental disorders. Analysis of the activity of brain structures associated with the organization of voluntary behavior is an important direction in studies seeking to understand the neurobiological bases of impulsivity. The orbitofrontal cortex and subthalamic nucleus are interconnected brain structures whose roles in organizing “impulsive” and “self-controlled” behavior are currently under active discussion. One of the criteria for impulsive behavior is the occurrence of intersignal reactions. Intersignal reactions are unreinforced operant movements in the absence of an external trigger signal. Using the “right to choose” the reinforcement behavioral model and chronic recording of multineural activity, we studied the activity of neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex and subthalamic nucleus in cats in conditions of choosing food reinforcement of different qualities. Cluster analysis and analysis of peristimulus histograms yielded data on the activation of individual populations of neurons in these structures during the period of obtaining food reinforcement and on completion of unreinforced intersignal movements. We suggest that the orbitofrontal cortex and the subthalamic nucleus play an important role in maintaining the “reinforcement” effect in intersignal reactions.