BEHAVIOR OF CHRONIC DECEREBRATE RATS

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Abstract
Observation of the behavior of nine mesencephalic rats which survived from 29 to 98 days post-operatively indicate that the decerebrate rodent is capable of some patterned forms of behavior which are considerably more complex than would be expected on the basis of whiat is known about the behavior of decerebrate carnivores. Rats with brain stems truncated in the upper mesencephalon showed rudimentary eating and drinking behavior and their grooming activities in the chronic state were almost normal. They showed angry behavior typical of the species and localized nociceptive stimuli with considerable accuracy. The rats were, like carnivores, lacking in tactile placing reactions, vision, olfaction and temperature regulation. The results raise some questions regarding the anatomical basis for the mechanisms involved but they appear to be partially explicable in terms of established neurological principles.