Spatio-temporal integration in the substrate for self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex

The number of stimulation pulses required to maintain a half maximal rate of self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was determined for various currents. Over a restricted range, the effects of decreasing the stimulation frequency could be compensated for by increasing the current. This finding cannot easily be reconciled with the hypothesis that the rewarding impact of PFC stimulation is unaffected by increments in current. The minimum current that would support self-stimulation of the PFC at high frequencies was larger than has been reported at medial forebrain bundle sites.