Intracranial self-stimulation in man.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Experimental case series in human neuropsychiatric patients without control comparison
PubMed 13971228 · doi:10.1126/science.140.3565.394
What was done
Intracranial self-stimulation techniques were modified and applied to neuropsychiatric patients to evaluate the reinforcing properties of brief electrical stimulation across various subcortical brain structures.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, sample sizes, or specific anatomical coordinates. It notes that stimulation to subcortical structures provided data suggestive of both positive and negative reinforcing properties.
Why it matters
This early report provided initial experimental evidence in humans that direct electrical stimulation of subcortical brain structures can elicit positive and negative reinforcement.
Limits
The abstract provides virtually no methodological or quantitative detail: sample size, specific diagnoses, stimulated brain targets, stimulation parameters, outcome metrics, and control conditions are not reported.
Cited by
- supports In 1960s human electrical brain self-stimulation studies by Robert Heath, participants chose to stimulate the central midline nucleus of the thalamus the most, seeking the feeling of mild frustration and anger.