Pavlov vs. K?hler. Pavlov's little-known primate research

During the 1920s, I. P. Pavlov's scholarly interests broadened to consider problem-solving. Distrusting Wolfgang K?hler's Gestalt explanation of the problem-solving process and its interspecies aspects, Pavlov performed, from 1933 to 1936, a number of experiments, including a replication of K?hler's building experiment, using chimpanzees as subjects. Confirming K?hler's findings, Pavlov explained the problem-solving process in terms of unconditional reflexes and the establishment, by Pavlovian conditioning and the Thorndikian method of trial and error, of temporary neural connections identical, on the psychological level, to associations. In contrast to K?hler's "structural" explanation, Pavlov emphasized the processes of analysis and synthesis. According to Pavlov insight is achieved progressively--as the result of the organism's problem-solving behavior--contradicting K?hler's thesis of a sudden subjective reorganization of the environmental situation. Pavlov explained interspecies differences among higher organisms in terms of the range of a species behavior, with the second signal system as the main distinguishing characteristic between human and nonhuman species.     

Soviet Psychology in English: Translations of Books

The English-speaking reader was given an opportunity — apparently not utilized too effectively — to familiarize himself early with the germinal ideas of research on what Pavlov first called the "so-called psychical processes" (Pavlov, I.P., Scientific study of so-called psychical processes of higher animals. Science, 1906, 24, 613-619, published in the U.S.A.; Lancet, 1906, 84,2,911-915, published in Great Britain), and what he later (1923, in Russian) referred to as "higher nervous activity (behavior)." The term "behavior" was used, in parenthesis, by Pavlov himself, and does not represent our interpretation or addition.     

Investigation of the optimal shape of the nerve ending of the encapsulated tissue mechanoreceptor (Pacinian corpuscle)

It is shown on the basis of simple physical principles that the parameters determining the shape of the nerve ending of the Pacinian corpuscle are optimal.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Research Institute of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, N. I. Lobachevskii Gor'kii State University. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 423–429, July–August, 1977.     

An historical-physiological analysis of the discussion between I. P. Pavlov and V. M. Bekhterev on the problems of localizing functions in the cerebral cortex

This article is the first of the domestic publications on physiology and medical history, which highlights the discussion between I. P. Pavlov and V. M. Bekhterev on the issue of localization of functions in human cerebral cortex: it provides information of the visit by I. P. Pavlov to the clinic of V. M. Bekhterev; it discusses the role of V. M. Bekhrerev's students who described the cortex zones of tonotopics, gustation, regulation of salivation and stomach secretion, which I. P. Pavlov denied. Unlike articles on factography and history of physiology, which in various ways praise the scientists, this article is based of the modern approaches of medical history and scientific knowledge, in particular, it provides a retrospective of the major facts of the discussion.     

Pavlov and the concept of association

I. P. Pavlov was profoundly influenced during his youth by the writings of D. I. Pisarev and I. M. Sechenov. Sechenov explained the voluntary act in terms of the formation of associations among sensory impressions and motor responses. Apparently under Pisarev's influence, Pavlov studied the physiology of the circulatory and digestive systems. In explaining the formation of the conditional reflex (CR), Pavlov rejected the Wundtian, anthropomorphic conceptualization of CR as suggested by A. T. Snarski?. However, using the objective CR method, the Pavlovians experimentally investigated the formation in the cortex of neural connections, which were equated with associations.     

Pavlov and the Rockefeller Foundation

Despite the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union in the early 1920's, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research found ways to assist I.P. Pavlov. In addition to providing scientific literature and financial aid, these institutions and their officers rendered important moral support to the scientific career of Pavlov during his later years. In 1923, as a guest of the Rockefeller Institute, Pavlov visited American scientific laboratories. In 1924, he requested and received a number of books on physiology, and during the 1930's the Foundation helped him to acquire equipment for his Leningrad laboratory.     

Modeling of ionic channel properties and its role in shaping neuronal spike activity

An electronic analog of a neuron operating in real time is presented. The sequence of signal formation in the analog follows that of processes occurring at the synapse, postsynaptic membrane, and soma of the cell. Concepts of the synapse as a "key" and of the postsynaptic membrane as ionic channel with conductance changing under the action of transmitter and intracellular potential having been put into effect in the physical model, the neuronal analog could be set up along the same lines as a spike generator in which operation of the synaptic apparatus and the structure of neuronal dendrites could be reproduced. Spike train transformation processes typical of different types of neurons (such as motoneurons and Renshaw cells) were modeled by changing the parameters of membrane resistance and capacitance. Findings from research on simple neuronal networks have made it possible to use the analogs suggested to study the principles governing organization of neuronal structures as well as mechanisms underlying neuronal interaction, particularly those of the motor control system.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 379–389, May–June, 1989.     

Pavlov's conceptualization of unconditional reflexes, or instincts, within the framework of the theory of higher nervous activity

According to I. P. Pavlov's theory of higher nervous activity, the establishment and dissolution of conditional reflexes enhances the higher organism's adaptation to the external environment. Pavlov asserted that, ontogenetically, conditional reflexes are based upon innate, unconditional reflexes (UR) or instincts. Pavlov did not distinguish between URs and instincts, but he preferred the former term. Phylogenetically the URs emerged out of well-established conditional reflexes during the development of higher organisms. An outgrowth of the experimental conditioning procedure, developed during the second decade of this century, was the observation and delineation of new URs. While studying human nervous and psychiatric disorders in the 1930s, Pavlov elucidated other URs. Pavlov identified 13 major URs, but he failed to formulate an exhaustive classification scheme of URs.     

I. P. Pavlov's theory on higher nervous activity: the landmarks and trends in its development

The theory of higher nervous activity created in Pavlovian time is compared with the present-day state of the theory developing due to appearance of new methods, techniques, facts, and concepts. Three principles of Pavlovian theory: determinism; analysis and synthesis; structural approach, as well s types of conditioned reflexes and techniques, types of higher nervous activity, and inhibition problems are discussed. The theory of higher nervous activity is schematically depicted as a tree, some branches of which are presented by facts and concepts obtained and introduced by I.P. Pavlov and his followers during his life, the others are formed by new facts and concepts advancing the theory. What is obsolete in the theory, what are the most prominent tendencies of its development and its new branches are discussed.     

Challenges of Activity Theory

One of the major distinctive features of the method of investigating nervous activity developed by I. P. Pavlov is, as we know, the synthetic formation, in the course of an experiment, of conditioned reflexes and of more complex systems of temporary connections.     

I. P. Pavlov's teacher of physiology I. F. Tsion (1842-1912)]

In 1866, at the C. Ludwig's laboratory, E. F. Cyon discovered n. depressor, and after C. Bernard's presentation he was awarded with the Montion Prize of the Paris Academy of Sciences. In 1867, together with his brother M. Cyon, he discovered nn. accelerantes of heart, which increase the heart rate when being stimulated. From 1868 to 1874 he was a privatdocent an professor of physiology at Saint-Petersburg University, where under his guidance I.P. Pavlov mastered the brilliant technique of vivisection experiment and accomplished his first works on the physiology of circulation and digestion. From 1872 to 1874 E. F. Cyon was physiology professor at Saint-Petersburg Medical-Surgical Academy. He published "Course of Physiology" in 2 volumes, the official speech "Heart and Brain" and others, proposed an original theory of inhibition, improved the reflex theory. He published 197 works, including 151 in German and French. I. P. Pavlov paid a worthy tribute to his teacher and continued the main direction of his investigations.     

I. P. Pavlov--a Full Member (Academician) of Russian Academy of Sciences (100-years anniversary)

I. P. Pavlov, the great Russian physiologist, the founder of a leading scientific school of physiology, first Russian scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize. Pavlov's work received wide international recognition. He was elected full or honorary member of more than 120 academies, scientific societies and universities. In 1907 he was elected a Full Member (Academician) of Russian Academy of Sciences and headed the Physiological Laboratory of the Academy. In 1925, at his petition, the Laboratory was transformed into the Physiological Institute, remaining his head until 1936, when he had died. Since 1950 this is the Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.     

Functional organization of projection zones of lateral line organs in the midbrain of Raja clavata

The character and distribution of evoked potentials in the midbrain during electrical stimulation of the lateral line nerves were investigated in acute experiments on the ray (Raja clavata). The clearest response was observed on the contralateral side of the dorsal surface. The evoked potentials consisted of several components. The initial high-frequency component is regarded as presynaptic. The principal slow component of the evoked potential corresponds to postsynaptic processes. The lateral line organs have spatially differentiated representation with partial overlapping of the projection zones.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 384–391, July–August, 1973.     

Neurons of the thalamic ventrobasal complex,labeled with horseradish peroxidase,projecting to the primary somatosensory cortex in cats

The morphology and localization of neurons of the thalamic ventrobasal complex projecting to the primary somatosensory cortex were studied in cats by the retrograde axonal transport of exogenous horseradish peroxidase method. Different types of neurons were detected: triangular, round with symmetrical processes, oval with processes diverging asymmetrically, and fusiform. Tagged neurons were distributed as two large populations in the central region of the complex adjoining the boundaries of the two nuclei. Comparison with the somatotopic map showed that the tagged neurons were concentrated mainly in the projection area of the forelimb and head. Since microinjections of peroxidase into the somatosensory cortex also were given in the projection areas for the forelimb and head, the results confirm the neurophysiological concept of strict somatotopic organization of thalamocortical input.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. A. A. Ukhtomskii Physiological Institute, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 125–129, March–April, 1979.     

A physiologist's dialog with a psychologist

The famous polemics between I. P. Pavlov and K. S. Lashley in the pages of the "Psychological Review" in the thirties is discussed in this paper. The particular significance of this polemics for development of contemporary neuroscience is underlined, since the essentially novel concept of the brain activity mechanisms has been advanced and intelligence nature has been advanced on the basis of the synthesis of the two opposing theories, the localizationalism and equipotentialism.     

Effect of acetycholine and cholinolytics on activity of pacinian corpuscles

The effect of acetylcholine and cholinolytics on excitability of the isolated mechanoreceptors of Pacinian corpuscles was studied by the external perfusion method. Addition of acetylcholine to the solution in a concentration of 10^–5–10^–3 g/ml increased the excitability of the receptors. The amplitude of the receptor potential fell in a solution with acetylcholine. Cholinolytics (D-tubocurarine, hexamethonium, and atropine) did not block receptor activity. It is concluded that acetylcholine does not participate in primary processes in Pacinian corpuscles.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 185–190, March–April, 1977.     

Conditioning studies in the Pavlov's laboratory during 75 years of its existence (on the 150th birthday of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov)

The paper reviews experimental and clinical data obtained on physiology and pathology of the higher nervous system by the Laboratory founded by I. P. Pavlov during 75 years of its existence: the principle of systemic organisation of the brain structures activity, the role of separate subcortical structures in organisation of behaviour, theoretical development of experimental pathology problems, inner inhibition, the role of sympathetic nervous system in conditioning, possible neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms of conditioning.     

Genetically determined variability in rat behavior and its biochemical correlates

Using the combination of extremely high and low values of two independent behavioural variables (activity and frequency of defecation in open field) four groups of rats were selected with different CNS reactivity corresponding to the types of higher nervous activity described by I.P. Pavlov. These groups of rats revealed significant differences in reactivity to stress and drugs, in social behaviour and biochemical pattern. They may represent a useful tool for the research in experimental psychology, neurophysiology, psychopharmacology and other branches of science.     

Effects of aspartic acid on skate electroreceptors

The effects of L-aspartic acid (L-ASP) on spontaneous and evoked activity in afferent nerve fibers were investigated by perfusing the basal membrane of sea skate electroreceptors (the ampullae of Lorenzini) with this substance. It was found that perfusion with physiological saline containing L-ASP exerted a primarily excitatory effect on afferent activity (threshold concentration: 10^–7 M). When synaptic transmission was blocked by magnesium ions, activity was restored in the afferent fibers if L-ASP was added to the solution and spike activity persisted for longer; this would imply the presence of desensitizing processes in the postsynaptic receptors of the ampullae. Finding would lead to the conclusion that L-ASP and L-glutamate fulfill a set of criteria for likely neurotransmitters in the ampullae of Lorenzini.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 61–67, January–February, 1987.     

Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation of opioid brain structures on regeneration of peripheral nerves in the rat

The effects of transcranial electrical stimulation of opioid brain structures on regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve after transection and microsurgical suturing of the nerve were investigated. Electrical stimulation was found to accelerate regeneration of motor and sensory fibers of the sciatic nerve. The subject of the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in regeneration of the peripheral nerves is discussed.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 76–79, January–February, 1990.