Responses of neurons of reticular and ventral anterior nuclei of the cat thalamus to afferent stimuli of different modalities

Responses of 146 spontaneously active neurons of the reticular nucleus (R) and of 98 neurons of the ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus to electrical stimulation of the skin of the footpads, to flashes, and to clicks were studied in experiments on cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine or myorelaxin. Stimulation of the contralateral forelimb was the most effective: 24.9% of R neurons and 31.3% of VA neurons responded to this stimulation. A response to clicks was observed in only 4.4% of R neurons and 2.4% of VA neurons. Nearly all responding neurons did so by phasic (one spike or a group of spikes) or tonic excitation. Depression of spontaneous activity was observed only in response to electrical stimulation of the skin. Depending on the site of stimulation, it was observed in 2.6–4.3% of R neurons and 1.7–2.1% of VA neurons tested. The latent period of the phasic responses of most neurons was 6–64 msec to electrical stimulation of the contralateral forelimb, 11–43 msec in response to stimulation of the hindlimb on the same side, 10–60 msec to photic and 8–60 msec to acoustic stimulation. Depending on the character of stimulation, 75.1–95.6% of R neurons and 68.7–97.6% of VA cells did not respond at all to the stimuli used. Of the total number of cells tested against the whole range of stimuli, 25% of R neurons and 47% of VA neurons responded to stimulation of different limbs, whereas 16% of R neurons and 22% of VA cells responded to stimuli of different sensory modalities. The functional role of the convergence revealed in these experiments is to inhibit (or, less frequently, to facilitate) the response of a neuron to a testing stimulus during the 40–70 msec after conditioning stimulation.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 563–571, November–December, 1975.     

Neuronal and synaptic mechanisms of cortical inhibition

The latent periods, amplitude, and duration of IPSPs arising in neurons in different parts of the cat cortex in response to afferent stimuli, stimulation of thalamocortical fibers, and intracortical microstimulation are described. The duration of IPSPs evoked in cortical neurons in response to single afferent stimuli varied from 20 to 250 msec (most common frequency 30–60 msec). During intracortical microstimulation of the auditory cortex, IPSPs with a duration of 5–10 msec also appeared. Barbiturates and chloralose increased the duration of the IPSPs to 300–500 msec. The latent period of 73% of IPSPs arising in auditory cortical neurons in response to stimulation of thalamocortical fibers was 1.2 msec longer than the latent period of monosynaptic EPSPs evoked in the same way. It is concluded from these data that inhibition arising in most neurons of cortical projection areas as a result of the arrival of corresponding afferent impulsation is direct afferent inhibition involving the participation of cortical inhibitory interneurons. A mechanism of recurrent inhibition takes part in the development of inhibition in a certain proportion of neurons. IPSPs arise monosynaptically in 2% of cells. A study of responses of cortical neurons to intracortical microstimulation showed that synaptic delay of IPSPs in these cells is 0.3–0.4 msec. The length of axons of inhibitory neurons in layer IV of the auditory cortex reaches 1.5 mm. The velocity of spread of excitation along these axons is 1.6–2.8 msec (mean 2.2 msec).A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 394–403, May–June, 1984.     

Neuronal responses of the reticular and anterior ventral thalamic nuclei to stimulation of the thalamic ventrolateral nucleus and motor cortex

Responses of 137 neurons of the rostral pole of the reticular and anterior ventral thalamic nuclei to electrical stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus and motor cortex were studied in 17 cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine. The number of neurons responding antidromically to stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus was 10.5% of all cells tested (latent period of response 0.7–3.0 msec), whereas to stimulation of the motor cortex it was 11.0% (latent period of response 0.4–4.0 msec). Neurons with a dividing axon, one branch of which terminated in the thalamic ventrolateral nuclei, the other in the motor cortex, were found. Orthodromic excitation was observed in 78.9% of neurons tested during stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus and in 52.5% of neurons during stimulation of the motor cortex. Altogether 55.6% of cells responded to stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus with a discharge of 3 to 20 action potentials with a frequency of 130–350 Hz. Similar discharges in response to stimulation of the motor cortex were observed in 30.5% of neurons tested. An inhibitory response was recorded in only 6.8% of cells. Convergence of influences from the thalamic ventrolateral nucleus and motor cortex was observed in 55.7% of neurons. The corticofugal influence of the motor cortex on responses arising in these cells to testing stimulation of the ventrolateral nucleus could be either inhibitory or facilitatory.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 460–468, September–October, 1978.     

Multisensory convergence on neurons of the motor cortex in unanesthetized cats

Postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) of 83 neurons in the motor cortex of unanesthetized cats in response to electrodermal, photic, and acoustic stimulation were investigated by intra-and quasi-intracellular recording methods. Most cells responded to stimulation of at least one limb. About 60% of neurons of the posterior and over 75% of neurons of the anterior sigmoid gyrus responded to stimulation of two (or more) limbs. In 29 of 39 neurons of the anterior and 12 of 44 of the posterior sigmoid gyrus PSPs with a short (less than 50 msec) and stable latent period were evoked by flashes and clicks. On presentation of two somesthetic stimuli complete blocking (if the interval was less than 30–60 msec) or weakening (interval 30–200 msec) of responses to the second (testing) stimulus was observed. On presentation of paired photic (or acoustic) stimuli or paired stimuli of different modalities at various intervals from 0 to 100 msec, the testing response was often potentiated. The character of the responses and their interaction thus differed from those obtained under chloralose anesthesia [6, 7]. It is postulated that under the action of chloralose a system of neurons with strong excitatory feedback is formed in the motor cortex which may respond to stimuli of different modalities by something resembling the "all or nothing" principle.Brain Institute, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 563–573, November–December, 1971.     

Unit responses in the anterior zone of the suprasylvian gyrus to peripheral stimuli of different modalities

Unit responses in the anterior zone of the suprasylvian gyrus to visual, electrodermal, and acoustic stimulation were investigated in experiments on unanesthetized cats immobilized with tubocurarine. Electrical activity was recorded from 131 units, 121 of which were spontaneously active. In 65.5% of cells responses consisted of a short or long increase or a decrease in intensity of spike activity. Most cells (58.2%) were monosensory. Responses to visual stimulation were given by 72% of neurons, to electrodermal by 61.6%, and to acoustic by 9.3%. The corresponding latent periods were 20–40, 20–30, and 15–20 msec. Responses of the same neurons to different peripheral stimuli were uniform or they differed in their dynamics. Intracellular recording gave responses in the form of EPSPs (amplitude 4–5 mV, duration 60–80 msec) or, rarely, IPSPs (amplitude 2–3 mV, duration 160–200 msec). The functional organization of the associative cortex and mechanisms of analysis of incoming afferent information are discussed.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 368–374, July–August, 1972.     

Response of neostriatal neurons to direct electrical stimulation of the optic tract and photic stimulation in awake cats

During acute experiments on awake cats the response of 98 neurons belonging to the head and tail of the caudate nucleus to direct electrical stimulation of the optic tract and presentation of photic stimuli was investigated using extracellular recording techniques. Of the test neurons 34.6% responded to stimulation of the optic tract and 36.2% to optic stimulation. Long latency (over 40 msec for the optic tract and over 80 msec for visual stimulation) excitatory responses prevailed in both cases. A small number of cells responded to optic tract stimulation with short latencies of 5–14 msec. Both types of stimulation were presented during investigations of 58 units of which eight were found to respond to both stimuli. The latter varied in their reaction to different stimuli and their response pattern. Findings are discussed in relation to the possible pathways by which visual information reaches the cortical structure under study.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 476–485, July–August, 1986.     

Effects of applying electrical stimulation to the locus coeruleus on neuronal activity in the parietal association cortex

It was shown during experiments on cats undergoing surgery under ketamine-induced anesthesia and immobilized with myorelaxin that applying trains of stimuli to the locus coeruleus (LC) produces an effect on 79% of parietal cortex neurons. This manifests as inhibition lasting 300–700 msec or a 16–32% decline in the activity rate of neurons with background activity. Hyperpolarization of 5–7 mV lasting 120–500 msec preceded by a latency of 30–90 msec was noted in such neurons as well as "silent" cells during intracellular recording. Duration of the inhibitory pause in neuronal background activity induced by transcallosal stimulation (TCS) increased by 50–200 msec under the effects of conditioned stimuli applied to the LC. Duration of the IPSP triggered by TCS likewise increased (by 50–100 msec) under the effects of LC stimulation. It was concluded that the effects of stimulating the LC on neuronal activity in the parietal cortex may manifest either directly, as inhibition of background activity and hyperpolarization, or else as modulation of influences exerted by other neurotransmitters.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 486–494, July–August, 1990.     

Responses of caudate neurons to acoustic stimulation in cats

Responses of 141 neurons of the caudate nucleus to acoustic stimuli — tones (500 and 2000 Hz) and clicks of different frequency (0.2 and 0.8/sec) and intensity (75, 80, 95 dB) — were recorded extracellularly in chronic experiments on cats. The responses recorded showed great variability with respect to character (phasic, tonic), structure (one or two phases of excitation), latent periods (from 7.5 to 300.0 msec), and burst discharge frequency (from 90 to 800 spikes/sec). Analysis of averaged poststimulus histograms and graphs of the dynamics of the responses showed that responses of 74% of neurons were much better expressed if less frequent stimuli were used: The regularity of the responses and the number of spikes in each response increased. Responses of neurons also increased and acquired a more distinct temporal structure if the intensity of the clicks increased. The character of responses to clicks and tones differed qualitatively in 17% of neurons studied: Phasic excitation arose in response to clicks, tonic changes in spike activity to tones. The particular features of responses of caudate neurons to acoustic stimulation with different parameters are discussed.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 588–595, November–December, 1980.     

Unit responses of the first and second somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus

Single unit responses of the first (SI) and second (SII) somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VP) were investigated in cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine. In response to VP stimulation 12.0% of reacting SI neurons and 9.5% of SII neurons generated an antidromic spike. In most antidromic responses of both SI and SII neurons the latent period did not exceed 1.0 msec. The minimal latent period of spike potentials during orthodromic excitation was 1.5 msec in SI and 1.7 msec in SII. Neurons with an orthodromic spike latency of not more than 3.0 msec were more numerous in SI than those with a latency of 3.1–4.5 msec. The ratio between the numbers of neurons of these two groups in SII was the opposite. In SII there were many more neurons with a latency of 5.6–8.0 msec than in SI. EPSPs appeared after a latent period of 1.1–9.0 msec in SI and of 1.4–6.6 msec in SII. The latent period of IPSPs was 1.5–6.8 msec in SI and 2.2–9.4 msec in SII. The relative importance of different pathways for excitatory and inhibitory influences of VP on SI and SII neurons is discussed.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 115–121, March–April, 1976.     

Characteristics of unit responses of the cat cerebellar cortex to acoustic stimuli

Investigation of unit responses of the cerebellar cortex (lobules VI–VII of the vermis) to acoustic stimulation showed that the great majority of neurons responded by a discharge of one spike or a group of spikes with a latent period of 10–40 msec and with a low fluctuation value. Neurons identified as Purkinje cells responded to sound either by inhibition of spontaneous activity or by a "climbing fiber response" with a latent period of 40–60 msec and with a high fluctuation value. In 4 of 80 neurons a prolonged (lasting about 1 sec or more), variable response with a latent period of 225–580 msec was observed. The minimal thresholds of unit responses to acoustic stimuli were distributed within the range from –7 to 77 dB, with a mode from 20 to 50 dB. All the characteristics of the cerebellar unit responses studied were independent of the intensity, duration, and frequency of the sound, like neurons of short-latency type in the inferior colliculi. In certain properties — firing pattern, latent period, and threshold of response — the cerebellar neurons resemble neurons of higher levels of the auditory system: the medial geniculate body and auditory cortex.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 3–12, January–February, 1973.     

Role of cortical inhibition in heterosensory interaction of neurons of the cat sensorimotor cortex

Background and evoked neuronal activity in the cat sensorimotor cortex was recorded under a-chloralose anesthesia. Pairs of heterogeneous stimuli were applied, spaced at intervals of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 msec. A clicking sound, flashing light, and electroshock to the contralateral forepaw were used as stimuli. Partial or complete blockade of response to test stimuli presentations spaced 100–200 msec apart were observed when using stimulation of varying modality. The greatest test response was recorded at interstimulus intervals of 200–300 msec. Intracellular mechanisms of heterosensory interaction were investigated by applying the inhibitory transmitter antagonist picrotoxin microiontophoretically to the test cell to produce local attenuation of inhibitory effects. This substance also reduced the duration of blockage following the conditioning stimulus and the occurrence of peak level test response at a lower interstimulus interval than in the controls. Either a consistent increase in the number of spikes per response at one of the interstimulus intervals or a uniform reinforcement in unit response to several different interstimulus intervals were observed in a proportion of the cells. The contribution of intracortical inhibitory influences to the mechanisms of heterosensory interaction on neurons of the cat sensorimotor cortex is discussed in the light of our findings.A. A. Ukhtomskii Institute of Physiology, A. A. Zhdanov State University, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 147–156, March–April, 1987.     

Neuronal responses in the limbic cortex of awake cats during defensive conditioning

Spike activity was investigated in limbic cortex neurons during defensive conditioning to acoustic stimulation in chronic experiments on cats. A relationship was found between the numbers of neurons responding, their contribution to formation of a temporal connection, and the duration of the acoustic stimulus. Phasic responses of 50–500 msec duration with latencies of 15–50 msec were observed for the most part. Intensive spike response with a minimum latency of 15 msec and a duration of between 200 msec and 2.5 sec evolved in most cells (95.1% in field 24 and 83% in field 32) in response to electrical stimulation. Response to acoustic stimulation rose during defensive conditioning in 33.3% cells and declined and finally disappeared in 13.3%, but response at the site where reinforcement was abolished was reproduced in all these cells. It was thus found that the numbers of limbic cortex neurons responding to sound not only fails to increase but actually decreases after training. The limbic cortex is thought to play its most active part in conditioning response to a recognized signal during the period preceding the awaited painful reinforcement.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 5, pp. 660–669, September–October, 1986.     

Hypothalamic influences on unit activity in the cat sensomotor cortex

Experiments on unanesthetized, immobilized cats showed different effects of individual hypothalamic nuclei on spontaneous unit activity in the sensomotor cortex. Compared with the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHN) and its anteromedial region (AMH), in response to stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LHN) changes in spontaneous activity were more frequently found. The ratio between activation and inhibitory responses was 36 and 36% for AMH, 51 and 30% for LHN, and 47 and 28% for PHN. An approximately equal number of sensomotor neurons (27–34%) gave tonic responses. Phasic changes in spontaneous activity were observed more often in response to stimulation of LHN, less frequently to stimulation of AMH and PHN. Responses of "nonpyramidal" neurons to stimulation of AMH and LHN were identical. "Pyramidal" units were more sensitive to LHN stimulation. Variations in hypothalamic effects depending on the type of response of sensomotor neurons to sensory stimuli were detected. Cells with tonic responses were more susceptible to influences of LHN and AMH than cells which responded by phasic changes in spontaneous activity to sensory stimuli. Fewer still positive responses were recorded in areactive neurons.Medical Institute, Chita. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 115–122, March–April, 1972.     

Unit responses of the thalamic and ventral anterior thalamic nuclei to electrical stimulation of thalamic relay nuclei in cats

Responses of 92 neurons of the reticular (R) and 105 neurons of the ventral anterior (VA) thalamic nuclei to stimulation of the ventrobasal complex (VB) and the lateral (GL) and medial (GM) geniculate bodies were investigated in cats immobilized with D-tobocurarine. Altogether 72.2% of R neurons and 76.2% of VA neurons responded to stimulation of VB whereas only 15.0% of R neurons and 27.1% of VA neurons responded to stimulation of GM and 10.2% of R neurons and 19.6% of VA neurons responded to stimulation of GL. The response of the R and VA neurons to stimulation of the relay nuclei as a rule was expressed as excitation. A primary inhibitory response was observed for only two R and three VA neurons. Two types of excitable neurons were distinguished: The first respond to afferent stimulation by a discharge consisting of 5–15 spikes with a frequency of 250–300/sec; the second respond by single action potentials. Neurons of the first type closely resemble inhibitory interneurons in the character of the response. Antidromic responses were recorded from 2.2% of R neurons and 7.8% of VA neurons during stimulation of the relay nuclei. Among the R and VA neurons there are some which respond to stimulation not only of one, but of two or even three relay nuclei. If stimulation of one relay nucleus is accompanied by a response of a R or VA neuron, preceding stimulation of another nucleus leads to inhibition of the response to the testing stimulus if the interval between conditioning and testing stimuli is less than 30–50 msec.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 8, No. 6, pp. 597–605, November–December, 1976.     

Effects of systemic injection of neuroleptics on neuronal background activity in the cat ventrolateral thalamic nucleus

Background activity was recorded in 272 neurons of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus before and after systemic haloperidol and droperidol injection at a cataleptic dose using intracellular techniques during chronic experiments on cats in a drowsy condition. Brief burster discharges lasting 5–50 msec and following on at a high intraburst spike rate (of 200–450 Hz) were characteristic of neuronal activity in intact animals. Regular discharges occurred at the rate of 2–2.5 Hz or occasionally 3–4 Hz in 15% of cells. Numbers of neurons with the latter activity pattern rose to 22 and 30%, respectively, following haloperidol and droperidol injection. Both irregular and prolonged (80–300 msec) regular discharges were recorded in one third of the total. A relatively low intraburst spike rate (of 60–170 Hz) was observed in 37% of cells following 10 days' haloperidol injection. These changes are thought to be produced by intensified inhibitory effects on neurons of the thalamic ventrolateral nucleus from the substantia nigra and reticular thalamic nucleus following blockade of dopaminergic and -adrenergic receptors.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 675–685, September–October, 1989.     

Unit responses of the ventral posterior and ventral lateral thalamic nuclei to electrical stimulation of the thalamic reticular nucleus

A microelectrode investigation was made of responses of 72 physiologically identified neurons of the ventral posterior (VP) and 116 neurons of the ventral lateral (VL) thalamic nuclei to electrical stimulation of the reticular (R) thalamic nucleus. Mainly those neurons of VP and VL (73.7 and 86.2% respectively) which responded to stimulation of the first motor area and nucleus interpositus of the cerebellum responded to stimulation of R; 19.8% of VL neurons tested responded to stimulation of R by an antidromic action potential with latent period of 0.5–2.0 msec and 46.6% of neurons responded by orthodromic excitation; 23% of orthodromic responses had a latent period of 0.9–3.5 msec and 77% a latent period of 4.0–21.0 msec; 19.8% of VL neurons tested were inhibited. Among IPSPs recorded only one was monosynaptic (1.0 msec) and the rest polysynaptic. It is postulated that both R neurons are excitatory and that the inhibition which develops in VL neurons during stimulation of R are connected mainly with activation of inhibitory interneurons outside the reticular nucleus.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 477–485, September–October, 1977.     

Monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials of cortical neurons

Monopolar intracortical stimulation of the auditory cortex was carried out in cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine. A macroelectrode (tip diameter 100 µ) or a microelectrode (tip diameter 10–15 µ) was used for stimulation. In both cases, besides excitatory responses, primary IPSPs with latent periods of 0.4–1.2 and 1.4–6.0 msec were recorded in cortical neurons close to the point of stimulation. The first group of IPSPs are considered to be generated in response to direct stimulation of bodies or axons of inhibitory cortical neurons, i.e., monosynaptically. The amplitude of these IPSPs varied in different neurons from 3 to 15 mV, and their duration from 4 to 150 msec. Additional later inhibitory responses were superposed on many of them. Of the IPSPs generated in auditory cortical neurons in response to stimulation of geniculocortical fibers 1.5% had a latency of 0.8–1.3 msec. They also are assumed to be monosynaptic. It is concluded that the duration of synaptic delay of IPSPs in cortical neurons and spinal motoneurons is the same, namely 0.3–0.4 msec. Axons of auditory cortical inhibitory neurons may be 1.5 mm long. The velocity of impulse conduction along these axons is 1.6–2.8 m/sec. The genesis of some special features of IPSPs of cortical neurons is discussed.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 458–467, September–October, 1975.     

Character of evoked responses of the dorsomedial thalamic nucleus to stimulation of the periamygdalar cortex and area amygdaloidea anterior in rats

Characteristics of focal potentials and single unit responses of the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus to electrical stimulation of the anterior periamygdalar cortex (APC) and area amygdaloidea anterior (AAA) were compared in acute experiments on rats. Differences were found in the parameters, dynamics, and duration of the recovery cycle of focal potentials in response to stimulation of APC and AAA. Stimulation of APC and AAA was accompanied by changes in the discharges of 26.9 and 19.2% of neurons studied respectively. Four types of unit responses are described: activating (64.3% of responding cells), biphasic activating (14.3%), inhibitory or inhibitory-activating (14.3%), and complex (7.1%). Spontaneous activity was exhibited by 25% of reacting cells. Stimulation of APC was shown to give rise to both shortlatency (12–18 msec) and long-latency (23–66 msec) phasic activating responses of the neurons whereas the latent periods of the analogous responses to stimulation of AAA exceeded 20 msec (from 21 to 136 msec). Unit responses of the second type consisted of a principal phasic response of three or four spikes with mean latent periods of 9–19.1 msec, preceded by a single short-latency (2.9–4.1 msec) spike. Responses of the first two types were characteristic of 92.9 and 64.3% of neurons responding to stimulation of APC and AAA respectively.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 604–611, November–December, 1981.     

Responses of cat cerebellar cortical neurons to stimulation of the caudate nucleus,globus pallidus,and substantia nigra

Stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus in cats anesthetized with chloralose and pentobarbital evoked spike responses of the Purkinje cells and other cerebellar cortical neurons in the paramedian lobes, lobulus simplex, and the tuber of the vermis. Phasic responses in the form of simple discharges (on account of activation of the neurons through mossy fibers) appeared mainly after a latent period of 5–12 and 14–20 msec; the latent period of responses consisting of complex discharges (on account of activation of Purkinje cells through climbing fibers) was 5–6, 9–22 msec, or more. Depending on the latent period, the spike responses differed in their rhythm of generation. In response to stimulation of the caudate nucleus with a frequency of 4–6/sec recruiting responses were found. An inhibitory pause was an invariable component of the tonic responses. During stimulation of the globus pallidus responses of the same types (phasic and tonic) appeared as during stimulation of the caudate nucleus, but they differed in the distribution of the neurons by latent period of spike responses. The minimal latent period was 4 msec. Recruiting also was observed during repetitive stimulation of the globus pallidus. During stimulation of the substantia nigra Pukinje cells activated by climbing fibers responded. Evoked complex discharges appeared after a stable latent period of 8.5±0.3 msec. Arguments are put forward regarding the role of the substantia nigra, the globus pallidus, nuclei of the inferior olive, and also the thalamic nuclei in the mechanism of caudato-cerebellar oligosynaptic and polysynaptic connections.N. I. Pirogov Medical Institute, Vinnitsa. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 375–384, July–August, 1978.     

Role of intracortical inhibition in forming homo- and heterosensory interaction in sensorimotor cortex neurons in kittens

Homo- and heterosensory interaction were investigated in sensorimotor cortex neurons before and after picrotoxin application to anesthetized and immobilized kittens belonging to three age groups (12–30 days, 31–47 days, and 2–4 months old). Only slight inhibition of response to presentation of a second stimulus was observed in a small proportion of cells in the youngest age group at test intervals of 100, 200, and 300 msec. Picrotoxin application only produced the effect of raised background activity. Numbers of neurons with partially or fully inhibited response to test stimuli (especially spaced at 100 msec intervals) rose in the middle and older age groups. The dynamics of heterosensory interaction and how this is affected by picrotoxin application gradually approximated to that observed with adult animals. The subject of the development of inhibitory mechanisms and how they contribute to the organization of homo- and heterosensory interaction during early postnatal ontogenesis is considered in the light of the results obtained.A. A. Ukhtomsii Institute of Physiology, Leningrad. A. A. Zhdanov State University, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 234–243, March–April, 1988.