Thalamic mechanisms underlying acquisition of latch-box problems in the white rat.

Acquisition of a bolt latch and/or hook latch was impaired in rats with mediodorsal, ventromedial, lateral, ventrolateral, midline or parafascicular thalamic lesions, but not in rats with anterior or ventrobasal thalamic lesions. The results suggest that the motor thalamus may extend to territories beyond the ventrolateral nucleus.