Electrophysiological activity accompanying intracranial self-stimulation

Rats were trained to interrupt a light beam for electrical intercranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of basomedial forebrain structures. Electroencephalographic activity from cortical and subcortical sites was simultaneously recorded during ICSS sessions. When reinforced behavior is elicited by basomedial forebrain stimulation, there is a concomitant evocation of prominent cortical and subcortical afterdischarges. These afterdischarges are suggestive of "seizurelike" activity and hypotheses relating this activity to the reinforcing aspects of ICSS are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)