RNA content of normal and axotomized retinal ganglion cells of rat and goldfish.

The responses of rat and goldfish retinal ganglion cells to axotomy were examined by a quantitative cytochemical method for RNA and by morphometric measurement 1-60 (rat) and 3-90 (goldfish) days after interruption of one optic nerve or tract intracranially. Unoperated control animals were studied also. The RNA content of axotomized neurons of rat fell 7-60 days postoperatively.

Viability of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush in adult rats.

The response of retinal ganglion cells to optic nerve crush was examined in the hooded rat. Intracranial nerve crush produces a transient shrinkage of the retinal ganglion cells during the first several weeks postoperatively but partial recovery of cell size then appears to occur. This transient response is considered to be a direct response to axotomy.

Nature of behavioral deficits and degree of recovery differ after lesions of dorsal and ventral aspects of rostral cortex.

Bilateral lesions of either the dorsal or the ventral aspects of the rostral half of the cortex in rats both significantly depressed eating, drinking and body weight, but animals with dorsal cortex lesions recovered more quickly and more completely than those with ventral lesions. Furthermore, spontaneous locomotor activity in the open field of animals with ventral cortex, lesions was unaltered relative to this group's preoperative level. On the other hand, relative to their preoperative baseline, the activity of animals with dorsal lesions was significantly depressed during the early postoperative period, and then was significantly elevated during intermediate and late periods.

Development of angiotensin-induced drinking in the rat.

The suckling rat responds from birth to intraventricular angiotensin, and the drinking behavior elicited by the hormone achieves adult characteristics of reliability and sensitivity at 4--5 days of age. Additional testing of 5-day-old rats injected with a range of doses showed that the threshold dose lies between 0.1--1.

Visual discrimination impaired by cutting temporal lobe connections.

An attempt was made to transect the white matter that connects the anterior temporal lobe with dorsal and medial brain areas. Eight monkeys were trained preoperatively on a visual discrimination and tested postoperatively for retention and relearning of the task. They were also tested for Klüver-Bucy symptoms.

Partial Klüver-Bucy syndrome produced by destroying temporal neocortex or amygdala.

The temporal neocortex was removed in 4 monkeys, and 5 received amygdala destruction. Four control animals received skin and muscle incisions. The monkeys were compared on a visual pattern discrimination task, a food-non-food discrimination, and a rating scale that measured agonistic and approach behavior.