[Effect of destruction of the basolateral portion and medial nuclei of the amygdaloid complex on defensive conditioned reflexes in rats].

Bilateral ablations of the basolateral part and medial nuclei of the amygdala in albino rats caused opposite changes in active avoidance acquisition and consolidation, emotional intensity level (fear) and "open field" activity. In intact animals the basolateral part of the amygdala produced facilitation while medial nuclei caused inhibition of the shuttlebox avoidance reactions, aggressiveness and general "emotionality" (fear-motivated behaviour).