Effects of medio-cortical frontal lesions on DRL performance in the rat

Abstract Damage to medial frontal cortex impaired the performance of rats during DRL 20 acquisition. This deficit was diminished when a feedback stimulus signaled the termination of the required delay. CRF response rates were not affected by frontal damage. It is noted that previous investigations have demonstrated DRL deficits following frontal damage in cat and monkey, but not in rat when frontal-polar cortex is removed. Our results, therefore, support the view that medial frontal cortex, rather than frontal-polar cortex, is the rat homologue to frontal association cortex of more advanced species. The relationship between fronto-limbic connections and response regulation is discussed.