Functional disconnection of a prefrontal cortical-dorsal striatal system disrupts choice reaction time performance: Implications for attentional function

This series of experiments investigated the role of a prefrontal cortical-d orsal striatal circuit in attention, using a continuous performance task of sustained and spatially divided visual attention. A unilateral excitotoxic lesion of the medial prefrontal cortex and a contralateral lesion of the m edial caudate-putamen were used to "disconnect" the circuit. Control groups of rats with unilateral lesions of either structure were tested in the sam e task. Behavioral controls included testing the effects of the disconnecti on lesion on Pavlovian discriminated approach behavior. The disconnection l esion produced a significant reduction in the accuracy of performance in th e attentional task but did not impair Pavlovian approach behavior or affect locomotor or motivational variables, providing evidence for the involvemen t of this medial prefrontal corticostriatal system in aspects of visual att entional function.