ABSTRACT
Brain self-stimulation was demonstrated when James Olds and P. M. Milner observed that rats returned to the place in an open field where they received electrical stimulation of the septal region. The lever-pressing response has been the most commonly used behavioural response in studies of brain self-stimulation. The chapter begins with the characteristics of brain self-stimulation. External stimuli have also been shown to enhance self-stimulation of the brain. Self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus occurred at a faster rate when the animals were induced by the hypothalamic stimulation to drink water, and the self-stimulation rate increased further when saccharin was added to the water. Certain odours are also rewarding in non-deprived animals, and it is of interest that self-stimulation of the olfactory bulb is enhanced by odours. There are a number of reports that the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the adrenal medulla and of corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex is increased during self-stimulation of the brain.
