The Syndrome of Obstinate Progression in the Cat ∗

Abstract

For some time we have been intrigued by a large cellular mass in the brainstem known as the nucleus interpeduncularis. Gudden 1 noted that “Ueber seine physiologische Bedeutung is so veil wie nichts bekannt.” The statement is equally true today. So we decided to make some lesions in it with the aid of the Horsley-Clarke apparatus to see what would result. Judging from its known anatomical connections we expected some alteration of behavior relating to food. Instead there resulted a most amazing behavioral disturbance which we have decided to call the syndrome of obstinate progression.

As soon as the cats recover from the anesthetic they begin to progress obstinately forward, making a peculiar low cry, and will turn aside for no obstacle. If such a cat is in a cage he will thrust his head into the corner and push with all his might until exhausted. He will rub off all the hair and macerate the scalp. If put down on the floor he will start forward and continue directly ahead until he meets an obstacle. He will never turn aside from any obstacle but continue to push his head against it until it gives way or he falls and, by accident, gets a start in another direction. If he is on a table-top he will walk directly ahead beyond the end and fall sprawling to the floor. If the door of his cage is opened he will walk directly out in the same manner and fall. This behavior continues as long as the animal lives, usually about 3 days. He shows no tendency to follow the observer and attends to nothing in his environment, but will eat if he is held with his nose in the neighborhood of food.