NEUROCHEMICAL CORRELATES OF THE KLUVER-BUCY SYNDROME BY IN-VIVO MICRODIALYSIS IN MONKEY

The Kluver-Bucy syndrome is a well known consequence of lesions of the temporal lobe, but the neural mechanisms remain obscure. To elucidate the neurochemical changes in this syndrome, we utilized in vivo micro dialysis of amygdala and hypothalamus in two Cebus monkeys (C. apella) before and after bilateral lesions of the temporal pole (TP). Both su bjects were housed and observed in a social group when not being dialy zed. Behavioral changes consequent to the TP lesion included early pos toperative anorexia, adipsia, hunched posture, tameness, and lethargy. Subsequently loss of fear, hyperorality, loss of social rank, and soc ial withdrawal were observed. Neurochemical changes in amygdala includ ed fall in DA metabolites, increase in NE, and fall in 5-HIAA. The ami no acids glutamate and asparate were both lower postoperatively but mo re so in the subject with the greatest behavioral change. Similar chan ges were noted in hypothalamus except for DA metabolites which remaine d unchanged. The Kluver-Bucy syndrome consequent to ablation of the te mporal pole appears related to a partial deafferentation of excitatory projections to amygdala, along with a lowering of DA and 5-HIAA and a n increase in NE.