Preferential localization of self-stimulation sites in striosomes/patches in the rat striatum

Norman M. White, Noboru Hiroi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

110 Scopus citations

Abstract

Histological sections of the mammalian striatum reveal a 'matrix' that is histochemically distinguishable from patches, or 'striosomes'. The latter are cross sections of a compartment that consists primarily of tube-shaped structures radiating through the matrix. As a test of the hypothesis that the function of the striosome/patch compartment includes the mediation of behaviors related to reward, the present study examined electrical self- stimulation of the caudoputamen in rats with electrodes in either of the two compartments. Rats acquired and maintained bar-pressing responses that were contingent on stimulation through electrodes making contact with striosomes/patches more reliably than animals with electrodes terminating exclusively in the matrix. The results provide in vivo evidence that the striosome/patch compartment is functionally differentiated from the matrix compartment: Stimulation centered in or around the striosome/patch compartment but not in the matrix led to rapid acquisition of a new behavior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6486-6491
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume95
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - May 26 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Caudate nucleus
  • Matrix
  • Neural Plasticity
  • Putamen
  • Reinforcement
  • Reward

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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