ABSTRACT
The kindling effect refers to the gradual appearance of stereotypies and convulsions in rats, monkeys and cats after a number of brief low-intensity electrical stimulations of the amygdala or other regions of the brain. The repetitive stereotypies observed were mostly rocking and swaying, but included also head nodding and shaking, and twirling. Non-repetitive stereotypies were abnormal limb postures, lip contortions, eye poking and thumbsucking. Monotonous regularity is a particular characteristic of stereotypies induced by restrictions on territory or freedom of movement, but stereotypies that result from deprivation rearing are as likely to appear as non-repetitive stereotyped postures as they are to take the form of monotonous repetitive movements. The most common origination of aberrations in laboratory animals is social deprivation or inadequate rearing, and W. A. Mason lists the first of four characteristics of a primate deprivation syndrome: abnormal postures and movements; motivational disturbances; poor motor integration; and deficiencies in social communication.
