Optimization of Medial Forebrain Bundle Stimulation Parameters for Operant Conditioning of Rats

Chanho Kong, Jaewoo Shin, Chin Su Koh, Jihyeon Lee, Min Sik Yoon, Yoon Kyung Cho, Soonyoung Kim, Sang Beom Jun, Hyun Ho Jung, Jin Woo Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The medial forebrain bundle (MFB) is involved in the integration of pleasure and reward. Previous studies have used various stimulation parameters for operant conditioning, though the effectiveness of these parameters has not been systematically studied. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the optimal MFB stimulation parameters for controlling the conditioned behavior of rats. Methods: We evaluated four factors, including intensity, frequency, pulse duration, and train duration, to determine the effect of each on lever pressure applied by animals. We further compared burst and tonic stimulation in terms of learning and performance abilities. Results: The number of lever presses increased with each factor. Animals in the burst stimulation group exhibited more lever presses. Furthermore, the average speed in the ç"° maze among burst stimulation group subjects was higher. Conclusion: We determined the optimal parameters for movement control of animals in operant conditioning and locomotor tasks by adjusting various electrical stimulation parameters. Our results reveal that a burst stimulation is more effective than a tonic stimulation for increasing the moving speed and number of lever presses. The use of this stimulation technique also allowed us to minimize the training required to control animal behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalStereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
Volume97
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by a grant from CABMC (control of Animal Brain using MEMS chip) funded by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (UD140069ID).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Deep brain stimulation • Intracranial self-stimulation • Medial forebrain bundle • Operant conditioning • Stimulation parameter

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