Intact spatial discrimination performance but impaired reaction time performance after frontal cortex lesions in the rat

In the present study the consequences of frontal cortex (FC) lesions on spatial discrimination learning and reaction time performance were assessed in rats. Spatial working- and reference memory were tested simutalneously in a cone field task. It was found that FC lesions did not impair both aspects of spatial discrimination performance in this task. In a choice reaction time task the FC lesion decreased the response speed (reaction time and motor time). Detailed analysis of the reaction times indicated that these effects could be attributed to an impaired motor preparation and/or an attention deficit. The present study suggests that claims of deficit in learning and memory following FC lesions should take into account possible effects of motor preparation/execution and attention.