[Analysis of the influence of amygdalar stimulation on conditioned and unconditioned alimentary reflexes].

The paper summarizes the results of studying the effects of subliminal stimulation of the basolateral part of the amygdala nuclei complex on alimentary secretory conditioned and unconditioned reflexes (11 dogs, 150 tests of low-frequency and 95 tests of high-frequency stimulation). It has been found that stimulation of the basolateral amygdala taking part in the inhibitory system of alimentary behaviour control may exert not only inhibitory but also activating influences on the alimentary secretory reaction. The inhibitory effects are, however, much stronger than the activating ones, particularly with low-frequency stimulation. Subliminal stimulation of the basolateral amygdala affects dissimilarly inborn alimentary reactions and conditioned, acquired reactions. Conditioned secretory reactions in most cases (up to 80% of the tests) are inhibited, while unconditioned ones, are activated. It is suggested that the amygdala plays a different role in these two types of reactions.