Cromwell H C, Levine M S, King B H
Institute of Physiology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1999 Feb;62(2):223-7. doi: 10.1016/s0091-3057(98)00152-x.
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a devastating characteristic of several developmental disorders including a number of mental retardation syndromes. The functional neuroanatomy and neuropharmacology of SIB is not well understood. Self-biting behavior (SBB) can be induced in rats by a high dose, systemic injection of pemoline (250 mg/kg, SC). This animal model allows for the investigation of anatomical and pharmacological aspects of SIB. Cortical pathology is a common occurrence in human disorders with SIB, and may be a fundamental pathological factor in producing the behavior. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effects of cortical damage on pemoline-induced SBB in prepubertal rats. Bilateral cortical aspirations were performed in 3-5-week-old rats. One week postsurgery, a pemoline challenge was administered. Behavioral comparisons were completed between the lesion group and an anesthetized-only control group. Results indicated that cortical damage significantly enhanced pemoline-induced SBB, along with some of the other pemoline-induced stereotypical behaviors. These results support the hypothesis that cortical damage influences the expression of stimulant-induced self-injury, and potential mechanisms for this influence are suggested.
自伤行为（SIB）是包括多种智力发育迟缓综合征在内的几种发育障碍的毁灭性特征。SIB的功能性神经解剖学和神经药理学尚未得到很好的理解。通过高剂量全身注射匹莫林（250mg/kg，皮下注射）可在大鼠中诱导出自咬行为（SBB）。这种动物模型有助于研究SIB的解剖学和药理学方面。皮质病理学在伴有SIB的人类疾病中很常见，并且可能是产生该行为的一个基本病理因素。本实验旨在研究皮质损伤对青春期前大鼠匹莫林诱导的SBB的影响。对3至5周龄的大鼠进行双侧皮质损毁。术后一周，给予匹莫林激发试验。在损伤组和仅接受麻醉的对照组之间完成行为比较。结果表明，皮质损伤显著增强了匹莫林诱导的SBB以及一些其他匹莫林诱导的刻板行为。这些结果支持了皮质损伤影响兴奋剂诱导的自伤表达的假设，并提出了这种影响的潜在机制。
