[Role of the head of the caudate nucleus in sensomotor control of different forms of behavior].

In chronic experiments on dogs with models of alimentary and defensive behaviour and with EEG recording in the cortical acoustic area and in the caudat nucleus head (CNH) evidence was obtained of the possible role of the latter in the processes of attention. Special test (CNH stimulation of different strength and frequency) helped to reveal the role of the striatum in this function. Proceeding from facts obtained and from published data, it has been assumed that the involvement of CNH in the process of activation of attention is effected by its inhibitory influences both on the motor systems and on the non-specific afferent input. The electrographic correlate of the CNH inhibitory function consists in the slow-wave high-amplitude component of the caudatogram within the range of two to six osc/sec which is always present in the background and which considerably increases in amplitude in situations requiring activation of attention.