Learning deficits produced by chronic and reversible lesions of the corpus striatum in rats.

In a first experiment it was found that the reversible disruption of the normal activity of the corpus striatum (CN) of rats by microinjections of potassium chloride produced a marked impairment on the acquisition of a one-trial passive avoidance task. Two additional experiments showed the same performance deficits on the acquisition as well as on the retention of the task when the CN was electrolytically lesioned. Since two different methods of disrupting the functional integrity of the striatum were used, it can be concluded that the results are not due to the pecularities of a single method. These results further support the hypothesis of critical involvement of the CN in the integration and storing of learned information.