Effects of STN lesions on simple vs choice reaction time tasks in the rat:preserved motor readiness, but impaired response selection

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key structure within the basal ganglia, inactivation of which is a current strategy for treating parkinsonism. We h ave previously shown that bilateral lesions of the STN or pharmacological i nactivation of this structure in the rat induce multiple deficits in serial reaction time tasks. The aim of the present study was to investigate furth er a possible role for the STN in response preparatory processes by using s imple (SRT) and choice (CRT) reaction time tasks. In contrast to the CRT pr ocedure, the information related to the location of where the response had to be made was given in advance in the SRT procedure. Accurate performance on these tasks requires not only the selection of the correct response (i.e . which response), but also preparation in order to perform when required. A comparison between the two tasks allows assessment of whether STN lesions affect which response ('which') or when to perform it ('when'). As previou sly observed in these procedures, the responses were faster as a function o f the variable foreperiod preceding the trigger stimulus. This well-known e ffect, termed 'motor readiness', was maintained after STN lesions, suggesti ng that STN lesions did not affect the 'when' phase of action preparation. However, while performance on the SRT was faster than on the CRT task preop eratively, STN lesions slowed RTs and abolished the beneficial effect of ad vance information, suggesting a deficit in the selection ('which') phase of response preparation. This deficit in the selection phase was further supp orted by deficits in accuracy of responding after STN lesions, as well as i ncreases in mislocated premature responding in the SRT condition. Together, these results suggest that the STN plays an important role in response pre paratory processes, including response selection and inhibitory control pro cesses.