Preference and aversion for brain stimulations estimated by the conditioned place preference

Rats implanted with chronic electrode into the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the hypothalamus (which elicited self-stimulation behaviour) display conditioned place preference after repeated stimulations of this area; conversely rats implanted into the mesencephalic dorso-medial tegmentum (which elicited switch-off behaviour) present conditioned place aversion after such repeated stimulations. Furthermore rats implanted in these two area without exhibiting self-stimulation or switch-off behaviours also display preference or aversion for the location paired with the brain stimulations. It was thus hypothesized that the conditioned place preference procedure seemed to present a higher sensitivity than the bar pressing procedures to detect preference or aversion for brain stimulation. Moreover the activation of the medial forebrain bundle which was associated with positive affect is more effective for a long term retention of the preferred location than midbrain periventricular reticular activation which induces a negative affect.