The Effects of Subcortical Brain Damage on Hoarding, Nest Building, and Avoidance Behaviour in the Rat

Abstract

A review of anatomical and behavioural studies of the limbic system suggests that some structures which Papaz proposed as the central mechanism of emotion might be involved in food hoarding behaviour. Various structures in Papez· circuit were destroyed surgically and observations were taken on subsequent changes in food hoarding behaviour. In addition, observations were made on nest building behavior and on avoidance performance. It was found that rats with bilateral damage to the mammillothalamic tract and mammillary body were severely depressed in hoarding and avoidance behaviour. Septal damage caused a less severe deficit in both behaviours while hippocampal, domical or thalamic damage did not have a significant effect. A pilot study of hoarding behaviour in the hamster was carried out.