[Different role of various regions of the caudate nucleus in phenamine-induced stereotyped behavior in cats].

Electrolytic ablation of the ventral parts of the cat caudate nucleus head results in an increase of frequency and disorganization of the pattern of the stereotype head turnings, induced by large doses of amphetamine. Lesion of the dorsal parts, on the other hand, is attended with a decreased number and limited manifestation of stereotype movements. A similar effect appears following a low frequency electrical stimulation of the nucleus ventral part. The disrupting action of neuroleptic haloperidol on the amphetamine-induced stereotype is weakened in animals with ventral lesions and enhanced in those with dorsal lesions. Due to dopaminergic activity, the amphetamine, apparently, produces a functional unbalance between different zones of the caudate nucleus, which underlies stereotype behaviour.