[Effect of stimulation of the reticular formation on the motivational and reinforcing effects of the self stimulation zones].

The influence was studied on the midbrain reticular formation (RF) on motivational and reinforcing effects of stimulation of the same selfstimulation zones (SS) of hypothalamic area. A current of gradually increasing intensity was used, by means of which three groups of functionally (behaviourally) specific reticular points were revealed: motivationaly neutral, positive and negative. The data obtained show that influences of RF on SS zones of hypothalamus differand depend on functional properties of various RF areas. Changes of motivational effects in SS zones reflex the specificity of reticular foci in a lesser degree than changes in reinforcing effects. It has been suggested that reinforcing effects of the SS hypothalamic zones possess their own activating mechanism specifically related to its "positive" link and differing from reticular mechanism of unspecific activation.