The psychological effects of minimal electrical stimulations of the amygdala in male rats

The male rats with electrodes implanted in the amygdale with (control) or without daily electrical stimulations (ES) were evaluated for behavioural changes. The animals in the test group showed significantly lower conflict, struggles, and movements for connection to the setup or trying to exit after ES when compared to the control group. The animals under ES became silent, less active, and compatible other rats without resistance for handling. These findings showed that ES has induced a conditional state behaviour to the setup like opioids that can induce euphoria. This procedure may be useful for treatment of drug dependence. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.