Discharge pattern of reticular neurons subjected to direct mechanical stimulation

Changes in neuronal discharge pattern due to direct mechanical stimulation through the recording extracellular micropipette were studied in 30 neurons of the rat's mesencephalic reticular formation. Results parallel closely the polarization experiments, i.e. changing the firing rate one group of neurons shows stable pattern whereas the other change their pattern significantly. It is concluded that the first group presumably reflects the decrease in membrane potential only, whereas in the second group overall synaptic inflow is influenced.