Bibliothek

Notizen: Abstract Minimum onset latency (Lmin) of single- and multiple-unit responses were mapped in the primary auditory cortex (AI) of barbiturate-anesthetized cats. Contralateral Lmin for multiple units was non-homogeneously distributed along the dorso-ventral/isofrequency axis of the AI. Responses with shorter latencies were more often located in the central, more sharply tuned region while longer latencies were more frequently encountered in the dorsal and ventral portions of the AI. For single units, a large scatter of Lmin values was found throughout the extent of the AI including cortical depth. The relationship between Lmin and previously reported spectral, intensity and temporal parameters was analyzed and revealed statistically significant correlations between minimum onset latency and the following response properties in some but not all studied animals: sharpness of tuning of a frequency response area 10 dB above threshold, broadband transient response, strongest response level, monotonicity of rate/level functions, dynamic range, and preferred frequency modulation sweep direction. This analysis suggests that Lmin is determined by several independent factors and that the prediction of Lmin based on relationships with other spectral and temporal response properties is inherently weak. The spatial distribution and the functional relationship between these response parameters may provide an important aspect of the time-based cortical representation of specific features in the animal's natural environment.

Notizen: Abstract The reinnervation pattern of crural pacinian corpuscles was examined by light and electron microscopy in eight adult cats of both sexes 3–18 months after sciatic nerve crush. Normal pacinian corpuscles are each supplied with a single myelinated axon and a single cylindrical axon terminal which may branch in the distal part of the inner core. Reinnervation of these vibroreceptors was very satisfactory after sciatic nerve crush: in a sample of 68 corpuscles examined 3–18 months after the operation, 92.6% were found reinnervated, while only 7.4% remained denervated. At the nerve entry, 84.2% of the reinnervated corpuscles were supplied with a single myelinated axon, while 15.8% received two myelinated axons; some of the axons branched before or after entering the inner core. Near the mid-level of the inner core, 60.3% of 63 reinnervated corpuscles were innervated with a single axon terminal, 22.2% were biterminal, while 17.5% had three or more terminals. Regenerated axon terminals induced the formation of thin lamellar layers in the axial region of the original core and, exceptionally, also at the outer aspect of the original core. In monoterminal corpuscles, the shape and ultrastructure of regenerated endings resembled those of normal controls, whereas in multiterminal corpuscles their shape and profiles were variable. In contrast to previous reports, reinnervated corpuscles did not ultimately become monoterminal. On the contrary, the mean number of 1.3 terminals found in reinnervated crural corpuscles at 3–5 months increased to 1.9 terminals per corpuscle 6–18 months after axotomy.

Notizen: Abstract  In this study we examined connections between the moment-generating capacity of the neck muscles and their patterns of activation during voluntary head-tracking movements. Three cats lying prone were trained to produce sinusoidal (0.25 Hz) tracking movements of the head in the sagittal plane, and 22.5º and 45º away from the sagittal plane. Radio-opaque markers were placed in the cervical vertebrae, and intramuscular patch electrodes were implanted in five neck muscles, including biventer cervicis, complexus, splenius capitis, occipitoscapularis, and rectus capitis posterior major. Videofluoroscopic images of cervical vertebral motion and muscle electromyographic responses were simultaneously recorded. A three-dimensional biomechanical model was developed to estimate how muscle moment arms and force-generating capacities change during the head-tracking movement. Experimental results demonstrated that the head and vertebrae moved synchronously, but neither the muscle activation patterns nor vertebral movements were constant across trials. Analysis of the biomechanical model revealed that, in some cases, modification of muscle activation patterns was consistent with changes in muscle moment arms or force-generating potential. In other cases, however, changes in muscle activation patterns were observed without changes in muscle moment arms or force-generating potential. This suggests that the moment-generating potential of muscles is just one of the variables that influences which muscles the central nervous system will select to participate in a movement.

Notizen: Abstract  For an understanding of how various degrees of altered use (training, disuse) affect the properties of skeletal muscles, it is important to know how much they are used normally. The main aim of the present project was to produce such background knowledge for hindlimb muscles of the cat. In four adult female cats, each one being studied in several experimental sessions, ankle muscles were chronically implanted with electrodes for electromyographic (EMG) recording. The muscles recorded from were: extensor digitorum longus (EDL), peroneus longus (PL), tibialis anterior (TA), lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and soleus (SOL). For PL, TA and LG, there were anterior as well as posterior recording sites. During 24-h experimental sessions, the studied animal stayed, together with another cat, in a box large enough for playing and walking around. Using telemetric techniques, samples of EMG signals were recorded on tape for 4 min every 30 min. In an off-line analysis, measurements were made of the total accumulated duration of activity from each one of the studied muscle regions. These ”duty times” were expressed as a percentage of total sampling duration. When averaged over the whole 24-h experimental period, the mean duty times per muscle region varied from 1.9% for EDL up to about 13.9% for SOL. Also, among predominantly fast muscles of mixed-fibre composition (i.e. all studied muscles except SOL), marked and statistically significant differences in duty time were found, mean values varying fivefold from 1.9% (EDL) to 9.5% (PL, posterior site). For all three muscles with simultaneous recordings from different sites, consistent and statistically significant differences in daily duty time were found between anterior and posterior regions (anterior less than posterior for TA and PL; anterior more than posterior for LG). We also measured the extent to which each 4-min sampling period was filled with activity (if any). As compared to muscles with a low mean 24-h duty time, those with high duty times were not active during more sampling periods per day, but, whenever being used, their activity lasted relatively longer. Such results were consistent with the view that differences in mean 24-h duty time might largely reflect differences in the extent to which the various muscles and muscle regions were used for long-lasting stabilizing contractions.

Notizen: Abstract Results of previous studies have indicated that the rostral superior colliculus (SC) plays an important part in the control of accommodation. The present study was carried out to investigate retinal projections to the accommodation-related area in the rostral SC. We injected WGA-HRP into the accommodation-related area in the rostral SC of the cat, where accommodative responses were elicited by stimulation with weak currents of less than 20 μA. Following injection of WGA-HRP into the accommodation-related area in the rostral SC, retrogradely labeled ganglion cells were observed mainly in the area centralis. Projections from the contralateral eye were denser than those from the ipsilateral eye. Almost all retrogradely labeled cells were classified as γ-cells owing to their small cell-body diameters and thin dendrites, although a few were classified as α-cells. These findings suggest that the accommodation-related area in the rostral SC is located in the portion corresponding to the area of representation of the central visual field and receives mainly γ-cell projections

Notizen: Abstract  In decerebrate cats that had been acutely hemilabyrinthectomized (HL), the extracellular activities of vestibular nuclear neurons on the lesioned and labyrinth-intact sides were studied during constant-velocity off-vertical axis rotations (OVAR) in the clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions (at 10° tilt). Over the range of 1.75–15°/s, two types of neuronal responses were identified on both sides. Some neurons showed symmetric and velocity-stable bidirectional response sensitivity (δ defined as the CW gain over the CCW gain) while other neurons exhibited asymmetric and velocity-variable δ. The mathematically derived gain tuning ratios of these two groups of neurons were within the range of one-dimensional and two-dimensional neurons respectively. The best response orientations in one-dimensional neurons and the orientations of the maximum response vector, S max, in two-dimensional neurons were found to point in all directions on the horizontal plane. On the labyrinth-intact side, both the one-dimensional and two-dimensional neurons showed asymmetry in the neuron numbers and/or the response gains between the two roll quadrants as well as between the two pitch quadrants. In addition, both the neuron number and gain were significantly higher for neurons in the head-down/ipsilateral-side-down half-circle than those in the head-up/contralateral-side-down half-circle. None of the aforementioned asymmetries was observed on the lesioned side. That a comparable pattern of distribution was observed in the one-dimensional and two-dimensional neurons suggests that these neurons maintain a common spatial reference frame in encoding head orientational signals arising from the ipsilateral and contralateral otoliths. Furthermore, a predominance of two-dimensional neurons that exhibited a greater gain with CW rotations was observed on both sides of HL cats. Of the response dynamics observed amongst neurons on the two sides of HL cats, no difference was found with regard to the response gain and the pattern of response lead. However, a difference in response lag was observed between neurons on the two sides of HL cats. These suggest that there is a segregation of otolithic signals to reach the ipsilateral and contralateral vestibular nuclei. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that one-dimensional and two-dimensional neuronal responses could be elicited with inputs arising solely from the ipsilateral or contralateral otoliths. The observed orientational tuning and the CW-CCW asymmetry to bidirectional rotation may provide the essential directional coding of head orientations. Further, the imbalance of spatial/dynamic response patterns between the bilateral vestibular nuclei following the restriction of otolith inputs by HL implies that converging otolithic inputs from the bilateral labyrinths are essential for producing the neuronal responses in control animals. The results are also discussed in terms of the possible contribution of the various neural asymmetries between neuronal subpopulations in the bilateral vestibular nuclei to the behavioral symptoms accompanying acute HL.

Notizen: Abstract  A technique was developed to measure, in the anesthetized and paralyzed cat under artificial ventilation, changes of excitability to intraspinal stimulation simultaneously in two different afferent fibers or in two collaterals of the same afferent fiber. Intraspinal stimulation reduced the threshold of single muscle afferent fibers ending in the intermediate nucleus. This effect was seen with strengths below those required to activate the afferent fiber tested (1.5–12 μA), occurred at a short latency (1.5–2.0 ms), reached a maximum between 15 and 30 ms, and lasted up to 100 ms. The effects produced by graded stimulation applied at the shortest conditioning-testing stimulus time intervals increased by fixed steps, suggesting recruitment of discrete elements, most likely of last-order interneurons mediating primary afferent depolarization (PAD). The short-latency increases in excitability produced by the weakest effective intraspinal stimuli were usually detected only in the collateral closest to the stimulating micropipette, indicating that the stimulated interneurons mediating PAD have spatially restricted actions. The short-latency PAD produced by intraspinal stimuli, as well as the PAD produced by stimulation of the posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt) nerve or by stimulation of the bulbar reticular formation (RF), was depressed 19–30 min after the i.v. injection of 0.5 mg/kg of picrotoxin, suggesting that all these effects were mediated by GABAergic mechanisms. The PAD elicited by stimulation of muscle and/or cutaneous nerves was depressed following the i.v. injection of (–)-baclofen, whereas the PAD elicited in the same collateral by stimulation of the RF was baclofen-resistant. The short-latency PAD produced by intraspinal stimulation was not always depressed by i.v. injections of (–)-baclofen. Baclofen-sensitive and baclofen-resistant monosynaptic PADs could be produced in different collaterals of the same afferent fiber. The results suggest that the intraspinal terminals of single muscle afferents receive synapses from more than one PAD-mediating GABAergic interneuron and that a single last-order interneuron has synaptic connections with a restricted number of intraspinal terminals and/or collaterals of the same afferent fiber. In addition, they support the existence of separate subsets of last-order baclofen-sensitive and baclofen-resistant interneurons that respond predominantly to segmental and to descending inputs. It is suggested that the restricted nature of the PAD plays an important role in the central control of the synaptic effectiveness of group I muscle afferents.

Notizen: Abstract  The purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether the nucleus retroambigualis (NRA) plays an essential role in periaqueductal gray (PAG)-induced vocalization and (2) which NRA neurons are involved in the projection from the PAG to laryngeal motoneurons. Bilateral injections of the neurotoxin kainic acid into the NRA in decerebrate cats abolished PAG-induced vocalization; PAG stimulation after the injections no longer modulated vocal fold adductor or tensor activity, and only tonically, but no longer phasically, activated the abdominal muscles. In contrast, PAG-induced inspiratory excitation remained even after the injections. These results suggest that the NRA is essential for the vocal activation of the laryngeal adductor and abdominal muscles, and that an additional pathway from the PAG to respiratory motoneurons other than through the NRA is important for mediating PAG-induced inspiratory activation. Secondly, axonal projections of NRA neurons to the contralateral nucleus ambiguus (NA) were studied electrophysiologically. Five expiratory neurons, which had decrementing (n=4) or constant (n=1) firing patterns, were identified as both having axonal projections to the NA and receiving inputs from the PAG. Furthermore, following NA stimulation many constant-latency action potentials of silent cells were recorded in the vicinity of the NRA, where many silent cells were also orthodromically activated by PAG stimulation. No NRA augmenting expiratory neurons could be antidromically activated from the NA. It is suggested that the NRA and adjacent reticular formation integrate inputs from the PAG and send outputs to laryngeal motoneurons for vocalization.

Notizen: Abstract  Previous studies have reported that stimulation of group I afferents from extensor muscles prolongs stance duration during walking in decerebrate cats. The main objective of this investigation was to determine whether this phenomenon occurs during walking in conscious cats. In conscious cats without lesions of the central nervous system (CNS), stimulation of group I afferents in the lateral gastrocnemius/soleus (LGS) nerve during stance prolonged extensor burst duration and increased the cycle period in five of seven animals. The mean increases in cycle period were modest, ranging from 6 to 22%. In five of six animals that walked both quadrupedally and bipedally at the same rate, the effects on cycle period were stronger during bipedal stepping (18% mean increase in cycle period compared with 9%). The stimulated nerves were transected and the experimental procedure was usually delayed in the conscious animals for 2–3 days following implantation of the stimulating electrodes. To assess whether chronic axotomy of the LGS nerve was a factor in the decreased effectiveness, four of the cats with chronic nerve section were decerebrated and their LGS nerves were stimulated after the animals began to spontaneously walk on a motorized treadmill. In all four of these animals, the effects of stimulating the chronically cut LGS nerve on the step cycle period became stronger following decerebration. However, these effects were not as strong as those produced when an acutely sectioned LGS nerve was stimulated. During both quadrupedal and bipedal walking, stimulation of the LGS nerve increased the amplitude of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) electromyogram. The augmented activity of the MG muscle contributed to an increased extension of the ankle during stimulated steps. The conclusion from these experiments is that stimulation of the group I afferents in extensor nerves can prolong stance in the conscious cat, but this effect is weaker than in decerebrate animals. It is likely that transmission in the polysynaptic group I pathways controlling stance duration is regulated in a complex fashion by descending signals from the brain in the conscious animal.

Notizen: Abstract  In the ventral horn of the lumbar spinal cord of cats anaesthetised with pentobarbitone sodium, microelectrophoretically administered (–)-baclofen, but not (+)-baclofen, reversibly reduced the duration of the orthodromic action potential of muscle group Ia afferent terminations, but not those of muscle group I afferent myelinated fibres. The presumably submicromolar concentrations are already known to reversibly reduce excitatory transmitter release from muscle group Ia afferent terminations. Action potential durations were estimated from threshold recovery curves after an orthodromic impulse using an extracellular microstimulation technique. Both of these presynaptic effects of (–)-baclofen were blocked by baclofen antagonists, and neither appeared to be reduced by the potassium channel blocking agents tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. Tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine also did not significantly modify the reduction by (–)-baclofen of monosynaptic field potentials in the lumbar cord of rats anaesthetised with pentobarbitone sodium. In the cat the maximum reduction by (–)-baclofen of termination action potentials was considerably less than that produced by cadmium ions, which, unlike (–)-baclofen, also reduced the action potential duration of group I myelinated fibres. These findings are consistent with a reduction by (–)-baclofen of the influx of calcium through voltage-activated channels in the membrane of group Ia terminations, a proposal which also accounts for the reduction by (–)-baclofen of the release of GABA at axo-axonic depolarizing synapses on these terminations. The results are discussed in relation to the mode of action of (–)-baclofen and the different sensitivities of transmitter release at various central synapses.

Notizen: Abstract  A region of the caudal ventrolateral medullary reticular formation (CVLM) participates in baroreceptor, vestibulosympathetic, and somatosympathetic reflexes; the adjacent retroambigual area is involved in generating respiratory-related activity and is essential for control of the upper airway during vocalization. However, little is known about the connections of the CVLM in the cat. In order to determine the locations of terminations of CVLM neurons, the anterograde tracers Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine were injected into this region. These injections produced a dense concentration of labeled axons throughout the lateral medullary reticular formation (lateral tegmental field), including the retrofacial nucleus and nucleus ambiguus, regions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla, the lateral and ventrolateral aspects of the hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus intercalatus, and the facial nucleus. A smaller number of labeled axons were located in the medial, lateral, and commissural subnuclei of nucleus tractus solitarius, the A5 region of the pontine reticular formation, the ventral and medial portions of the spinal and motor trigeminal nuclei, locus coeruleus, and the parabrachial nucleus. We confirmed the projection from the CVLM to both the rostral ventrolateral medulla and lateral tegmental field using retrograde tracing. Injections of biotinylated dextran amine or Fluorogold into these regions resulted in retrogradely labeled cell bodies in the CVLM. However, the neurons projecting to the lateral tegmental field were located mainly dorsal to those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla, suggesting that these neurons form two groups, possibly with different inputs. Injections of retrograde tracers into the lateral tegmental field and rostral ventrolateral medulla also produced labeled cell bodies in other regions, including the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei and nucleus solitarius. These data are consistent with the view that the CVLM of the cat is a multifunctional area that regulates blood pressure, produces vocalization, affects the shape of the oral cavity, and elicits contraction of particular facial muscles.

Notizen: Abstract  This study was primarily aimed at investigating the selectivity of the cortico-spinal actions exerted on the pathways mediating primary afferent depolarization (PAD) of muscle spindle and tendon organ afferents ending within the intermediate nucleus at the L6–L7 segmental level. To this end we analyzed, in the anesthetized cat, the effects produced by electrical stimulation of sensory nerves and of the cerebral cortex on (a) the intraspinal threshold of pairs of single group I afferent fibers belonging to the same or to different hindlimb muscles and (b) the intraspinal threshold of two collaterals of the same muscle afferent fiber. Afferent fibers were classified in three categories, according to the effects produced by stimulation of segmental nerves and of the cerebral cortex. Twenty-five of 40 fibers (62.5%) were depolarized by stimulation of group I posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt) or tibialis (Tib) fibers, but not by stimulation of the cerebral cortex or of cutaneous and joint nerves, which instead inhibited the PBSt- or Tib-induced PAD (type A PAD pattern, usually seen in Ia fibers). The remaining 15 fibers (37.5%) were all depolarized by stimulation of the PBSt or Tib nerves and the cerebral cortex. Stimulation of cutaneous and joint nerves produced PAD in 10 of those 15 fibers (type B PAD pattern) and inhibited the PBSt- or Tib-induced PAD in the 5 remaining fibers (type C PAD pattern). Fibers with a type B or C PAD pattern are likely to be Ib. Not all sites in the cerebral cortex inhibited with the same effectiveness the segmentally induced PAD of group I fibers with a type A PAD pattern. With the weakest stimulation of the cortical surface, the most effective sites that inhibited the PAD of individual fibers were surrounded by less effective sites, scattered all along the motor cortex (area 4γ and 6) and sensory cortex (areas 3, 2 and 1), far beyond the area of projection of group I fibers from the hindlimb. With higher strengths of cortical stimulation, the magnitude of the inhibition was also increased, and previously ineffective or weakly effective sites became more effective. Maps obtained when using the weakest cortical stimuli have indicated that the most effective regions that produced PAD of group I fibers with a type B or type C PAD pattern were also scattered throughout the sensory-motor cortex, in the same general area as those that inhibited the PAD of group I afferents with a type A PAD pattern. In eight fibers with a type A PAD pattern it was possible to examine the intraspinal threshold of two collaterals of the same single afferent fiber ending within the intermediate nucleus at the L7 segmental level. In six fibers, stimulation of the PBSt nerve with trains of pulses between 1.5 and 1.86 times threshold (×T) produced a larger PAD in one collateral than in the other. In seven fibers, stimulation of the sensory-motor cortex and of cutaneous nerves produced a larger inhibition of the PBSt-induced PAD in one collateral than in the other. The ratio of the cortically induced inhibition of the PAD elicited in the two collaterals could be modified by changing the strength of cortical and of PBSt stimulation. In three fibers it was possible to inhibit almost completely the background PAD elicited in one collateral while having little or no effect on the PAD in the other collateral. Changes in the intraspinal threshold of pairs of collaterals following electrical stimulation of segmental nerves and of the somato-sensory cortex were examined in three fibers with a type B and two fibers with a type C PAD pattern. In four fibers the PAD elicited by stimulation of cutaneous (4–20×T) and muscle nerves (1.54–3.7×T), or by stimulation of the sensory-motor cortex, was of different magnitude in the two collaterals. In two experiments it was possible to find cortical sites in which weak surface stimulation produced PAD in one collateral only. The magnitude of the PAD elicited in pairs of collaterals of group I afferents with a type B or C PAD pattern, or the inhibition of the PAD in pairs of collaterals of fibers with a type A PAD pattern, appeared not to be topographically related to the site of spinal projection of the cutaneous and cortico-spinal fibers used for conditioning stimulation. The present demonstration of a differential control of the PAD exerted on two collaterals of the same afferent fiber suggests that the profuse intraspinal branching of muscle spindle and tendon organs is a potentially rich substrate for information transmission. By means of presynaptic control mechanisms, the terminal arborizations of the afferent fibers could function either as a simple unit or in a fractionated manner, allowing funneling of information to selected groups of central neurons.

Notizen: Abstract  The central cervical nucleus (CCN) of the cat receives input from upper cervical muscle afferents, particularly primary spindle afferents. Its axons cross in the spinal cord, and while in the contralateral restiform body give off collaterals to the vestibular nuclei. In order to study the connections between CCN axons and vestibular neurons, we stimulated the area of the CCN in decerebrate cats while recording intra- or extracellularly from neurons in the contralateral vestibular nuclei. CCN stimulation evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) or extracellularly recorded firing in the lateral, medial and descending vestibular nuclei. The latency of EPSPs (mean 1.6 ms) was on average 0.4 ms longer than the latency of antidromic spikes evoked in the CCN by stimulation of the contralateral vestibular nuclei (mean 1.2 ms), demonstrating that the excitation was typically monosynaptic. The results provide further evidence that the CCN is an important excitatory relay between upper cervical muscle afferents and neurons in the contralateral vestibular nuclei.

Notizen: Abstract  The ventrolateral (VL) thalamus in mammals is a site well-situated to show vocalization-related neural activity if there is general or classical motor system involvement in vocal production. It receives input from both the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and forms reciprocal connections with motor cortical areas. The current study examined the activity in cat VL thalamus neurons during instrumentally conditioned vocalization. Units in our sample showed irregular spontaneous firing which could be modulated by slowly occurring fluctuations in intensity of vocalization task performance. Two main types of behavioral events were associated with changes in neural firing rate. The first of these was the ingestion of food reward. More than half of all recordings showed phasic bursting patterns during licking; a similar number had increases in firing preparatory to this phasic activity. The second behavioral event modulating unit responses was vocalization. Approximately 60% of recordings showed activity changes time-locked to vocalization. These responses were almost always excitatory, and often involved changes in firing that preceded vocalization onset. No spatial organization of differences in firing pattern between neurons could be distinguished. Our results suggest that VL thalamus may well be involved in mediating vocal behavior, although its functional role remains an object of speculation. Results are compared with previous studies of vocalization-related activity and of VL thalamus activity.

Notizen: Abstract  In a proportion of simple cells of the striate cortex, the weighting functions of the receptive fields (RFs) had more periods than could be established by mapping using responses to light bars and dark bars. In these multiperiodical cells, side subfields do not respond to single bars, as they have lower weights than central zones and the excitation is under the threshold of impulse response if a single bar is applied. This fact has been established by different methods: conditioning and testing stimuli, grating patches, and inverse Fourier transform of the amplitude-phase characteristic, combining them in one cell. We assume that this type of nonlinarity can be used in analyzing the image, as it acts as a spatial-frequency filter of the area overlapped by the RF. The responses to complex gratings composed by two sinusoidal gratings of different frequency, contrast, and phase shift were compared with the sum of the responses to the gratings when they were presented separately. The results show that the principle of superposition holds a reasonable approximation even if the response is evoked from the side subzones. Some simple cells have nonlinear properties beyond the classic zone of RF (2nd type of nonlinearity). Linear cells have a tendency to be localized in layer 4 of striate cortex, cells with a nonlinear surround in layers 2, 3, 5, and 6. The significance of both types of nonlinearities in simple cells is discussed.

Notizen: Abstract  Axonal pathways, projection levels, conduction velocities, and locations of the cell bodies of saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were studied in decerebrated cats and anesthetized cats, using a collision test of orthodromic and antidromic spikes. The saccular nerve was selectively stimulated by bipolar tungsten electrodes. Three monopolar electrodes were inserted into the left and right lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) and medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST) of the C1 segment, to determine the pathway of axons. Three pairs of similar electrodes were positioned bilaterally in the C3–4, T1, and L3 segments to examine projection levels. Another monopolar electrode was placed in the oculomotor nucleus to determine whether saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons have branches ascending to the oculomotor nucleus. Of 145 vestibular neurons orthodromically activated by stimulation of the saccular nerve, 46 were activated from the C1 segment antidromically. Forty-three were second-order vestibulospinal neurons and 3 were third-order vestibulospinal neurons. Four saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were also antidromically activated from the oculomotor nucleus. Sixty-three percent of the saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons descended through the MVST; one-third of these terminated in the upper cervical segments, one-third reached the lower cervical segments and the remaining one-third reached the upper thoracic segments. Thirty percent of the saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons descended through the ipsilateral LVST; most of these reached the upper thoracic segments. Seven percent of the saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons descended through the contralateral vestibulospinal tracts terminating in the upper cervical segments. Most of the saccular nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons originated in the caudal part of the lateral nucleus and rostral part of the descending nucleus.

Notizen: Abstract  The aim of this investigation was to understand the functions of long horizontal connections projecting from area 17 to area 18 in cats. The animals were anesthetized and prepared for recording single-cell responses to sine-wave gratings in area 18. Neuronal activity was analyzed under three conditions: prior to, during, and after inactivation of a circumscribed region of area 17. The latter was depressed with micro-injections of GABA. Cells in both areas were in close retinotopic correspondence. Cells were classified as simple and complex types. Globally, simple cells were less affected than complex units, and those which were affected shifted their optimal spatial frequency to higher values. Complex neurons were more often influenced by the interruption of area 17 input. Namely, the peaks of the tuning curves were displaced on the x-axis to a new optimal spatial frequency. This effect was obtained by a dual change: a decline in the discharge strength to the optimal spatial frequency and an enhancement to nonoptimal spatial frequency. Contrast sensitivity function disclosed similar shifts of optimal spatial frequencies. Likewise bandwith, spatial resolution, high cutoff, and low cutoff were modified to a greater extent in complex cells. It appears that there is no relationship between areas 17/18 orientation difference and the modifications observed in tuning curves to spatial frequencies. The results suggest that neurons of area 18 may carry multiple-frequency channels and that area 17 facilitates the emergence of one particular spatial frequency.

Notizen: Abstract  In the lumbar ventral horn of pentobarbitone-anaesthetised cats, (-)-baclofen reduces both the synaptic release of excitatory transmitter from muscle group Ia afferent terminations and the duration of the presynaptic action potentials of these terminations, presumably by interfering with the influx of calcium ions through voltage-activated channels. Baclofen, however, has little or no effect on cholinergic excitation at motor axon collateral synapses on spinal Renshaw cells and, in the present study, was found not to reduce the duration of the action potential of axon collateral terminations located in the vicinity of Renshaw cells in pentobarbitone-anaesthetised cats. Furthermore, in contrast to group Ia terminations, a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive potassium conductance could not be detected as contributing to axon collateral termination action potentials. These results suggest that there may be differences in presynaptic ion fluxes associated with transmitter release at the intraspinal terminations of group Ia afferent fibres and motor axon collaterals in the cat spinal cord.

Notizen: Abstract  The effect of exposure to repeated angular velocity steps about the earth-vertical axis on the vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) during onside pitch rotation was investigated in normal cats. By contrast with the VOR in the horizontal plane, the amplitude and duration of the vertical VOR did not progressively decrease throughout the repetition of velocity steps alternated in both directions. Instead, the amplitude of VOR decreased by about 40% during the very first trials in naive cats and then stayed unchanged with repeated stimuli. Habituation of the amplitude of the vertical VOR was observed when the velocity steps were always directed in the same direction. However, the duration of the vertical VOR did not show any signs of habituation. The habituation of the amplitude of the vertical VOR during unidirectional training was due to the progressive development of an initial inhibition of the VOR. This initial inhibition appeared much earlier during the bidirectional protocol, and was presumably responsible for the larger reduction in VOR amplitude observed during the very first session. These results support the model of two distinct mechanisms for VOR habituation, one producing an increasing inhibition of nystagmus, and the other depressing the response duration, and suggest that only the first mechanism is generated during repeated stimulation in the vertical plane. The low-frequency information provided by the velocity storage mechanism during onside pitch rotation, when the otoliths are positioned so they do not signal head tilt relative to gravity, could prevent a decrease in the overall response by the second mechanism.

Notizen: Abstract  Neurophysiological studies of the blink reflex to supraorbital nerve stimulation were conducted in eight alert, adult male cats. The cat, like other mammals, shows both short-latency (R1) and long-latency (R2) orbicularis oculi electromyographic (OOemg) components. Measures of OOemg latency, duration, integrated area, and maximum amplitude (MA) were obtained at a stimulus magnitude of 1.5×R2 threshold. The mean (±SE) minimal latencies for R1 and R2 were 8.26±0.85 and 22.97±1.53 ms, respectively. On average, R1 MA was larger than R2 MA. R1 and R2 area measures were similar. Three stimulus paradigms were tested. In a paired-stimulus paradigm, the interstimulus interval (ISI) was randomly varied from 100 to 1200 ms. Ratios were constructed for the OOemg area and MA by dividing the test response by the conditioning response. In this paradigm, although a significant linear relationship was observed only between ISI and R2 MA, conditioning effects were noted on both R1 and R2 area and MA test responses at several ISIs. In a habituation paradigm, both R2 and R1 showed habituation at stimulus frequencies from 0.5 to 2 Hz. In a stimulus-response paradigm, stimulus magnitude was randomly varied between threshold and 2×threshold. In this paradigm, OOemg area and MA of both R1 and R2 were linearly related to stimulus magnitude. Neither the systemically administered centrally acting α2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine nor agonist clonidine had significant effects on blink reflex parameters, habituation, or the paired-stimulus paradigm. Overall, these results suggest that there are important similarities in the control and modulation of the R1 and R2 components of the blink reflex to supraorbital nerve stimulation in cats.

Notizen: Abstract  Somaesthetic input to rubrospinal cells, bypassing the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, has been demonstrated in the cat. The detailed organization of this somatic afferent system was studied using electrophysiological methods on multiple-lesion, chloralose-anaesthetized preparations. Stimulation of the dorsal column (DC) at upper cervical cord segments induced significant responses in magnocellular red nucleus (RNm) cells in cats without a cerebellum and with ablation of the frontal cortex. As classic descriptions state that primary afferents fibres have ascending and descending branches in the DC, with many collaterals arborizing in the grey matter at the segmental level of the cord, this procedure is equivalent to stimulating the somatic fibres coming from a large portion of the body, leading to the simultaneous activation of most ascending spinal pathways. To show that the pathway responsible for the rubral responses ascends in the ventral spinal cord, and that the synaptic relays are located at the segmental level, the stimulation was applied to the DC, caudally to the sectioned dorsal spinal half. Various tests confirmed that the activation was conducted to rubral cells through antidromically activated primary afferents. Their multiple collaterals relay the messages to cells located caudal to the spinal lesion, with fibres ascending in the ventral cord. Any relay of the somatic rubral responses in the DC’s nuclei was excluded. When the DC was sectioned and its rostral end was dissected free and lifted onto two hook electrodes for stimulation, no response was obtained in the rubral cells. This dissection indeed sectioned all DC fibre collaterals entering the grey matter, thus excluding the possibility of segmental relay. Single shocks applied to the ventral quadrant of the cord or in the medial lemniscus (LM) in the medulla oblongata induced monosynaptic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) in most rubrospinal cells. The spinal EPSPs could be collided by stimulation in the LM, thus demonstrating the existence of direct connections from the cord to the RNm. This somaesthetic pathway to the RNm could be involved in on-line correction of movements and in learning new motor strategies.

Notizen: Abstract. We investigated the binding characteristics of two monoclonal antibodies, 4F3 and 3F8, which in the retina specifically stain Müller cells, both with protein blots and immunohistochemically in sections of various regions of the central nervous system of neonatal and adult cats and rats. Clear differences emerged between the two antibodies. In addition, some species-specific as well as developmental differences within the staining pattern of each individual antibody were evident. The epitopes recognized by 4F3 lay mainly in the 57–63 kDa range. Histologically, 4F3 labelled mainly glia cells: oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in optic nerve, astrocytes in neocortex and cerebellum, Bergmann glia in the cerebellum and radial glia in neonatal animals. This was confirmed by double-immunofluorescence with the astrocyte marker GFAP. By contrast, 3F8 epitopes lay mainly in the 47–49 kDa range. Histologically, 3F8 labelled oligodendrocytes in the optic nerve, but only neurons in cerebellum and neocortex as confirmed by double-labelling with neuronal markers. Neither 4F3 nor 3F8 recognized GFAP or vimentin. These results clearly indicate (1) that the two antibodies identify new epitopes/molecules, (2) that the antigens are not retina-specific, and (3) that Müller cells share epitopes with other glial cells as well as with neurons outside the retina.

Notizen: Summary In 16 cats monocularly deprived from 2 to 3 weeks of age, we studied 53 striate cortical cells which were identified as projecting to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) on the basis of antidromic activation from LGN and of histological localization within cortical layer VI. As in the normal cat, these cortico-geniculate cells could be classified as slow, intermediate or fast, according to their axonal conduction velocities. The sampling ratio of the slow cells (mostly unresponsive to visual stimuli) was much higher than normal. On the other hand, the ratio of the intermediate (one half were simple cells) and fast cells (all except one were complex cells) was significantly lower than the norm. Also, the average axonal conduction velocities of the complex and simple cells were significantly slower than normal. These results suggest that normal maturation of cortico-geniculate cells, particularly fast and intermediate ones, is retarded or arrested by monocular visual deprivation.

Notizen: Summary Cats reared in total darkness to adulthood have abnormal eye movements. A spontaneous nystagmus is found in the dark before any visual experience. The eye movements evoked by vestibular or optokinetic stimulation are less effective at compensation than for a normal cat. The vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) has a low gain (around 0.3) and a frequency dependent phase relation. The efficiency of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is poorer than for a normal cat, except for downwards stimulus movement which is followed better than normal. OKN is poorest in response to a stimulus viewed monocularly moving in the nasal to temporal direction. Neither VOR nor OKN of a dark-reared cat recover in efficiency within 5 months of the animal being brought into the light. A normal cat put into the dark for 135 days shows none of these abnormalities except an occasional spontaneous nystagmus.

Notizen: Summary 1. Unilateral lesions of the superior colliculus were made in normal cats. Following the operation, animals exhibited a typical neglect for contralateral visual space and forced circling toward the ipsilateral side. Optokinetic nystagmus was decreased for a stimulus moving toward the ipsilateral side, particularly in the temporal-to-nasal direction when the eye contralateral to the lesion was stimulated alone. — 2. When tested in the dark, animals exhibited a strong imbalance of their vestibulo-ocular responses (VOR) to velocity steps or to sinusoidal oscillations. Rotation of the animal toward the ipsilateral side produced a VOR with a higher gain, and a shorter phase-lead than in pre-operative controls. VOR was decreased in the opposite direction to a smaller extent, however. The overall asymmetry between the two sides at the post-operative stage was about 40%. — 3. In two animals, spontaneous nystagmus was present in the dark with the fast phase toward the ipsilateral side. — 4. Visual suppression of VOR was abolished during ipsiversive rotation and was still present during contraversive rotation. — 5. The effects of unilateral colliculectomy on VOR were transient. Spontaneous nystagmus disappeared in 3 days. VOR asymmetry in the dark was no longer present after 2–3 weeks. Loss of visual VOR suppression persisted for a few more days. — 6. Superior colliculus exerts a tonic control on static and dynamic components of VOR. This control may mediate part of VOR visual modulation and provide a substitutive input for compensation of pathological VOR asymmetry.

Notizen: Summary The ultrastructure of the ventrobasal complex (VB) of the cat thalamus was investigated in order to compare the data with those obtained in other thalamic nuclei. New data are described regarding the identification of Golgi II type neurons and several forms of axo-somatic synapses. By means of a quantitative analysis the number of different profiles, distribution of interprofile contacts, synaptic densities and degree of synaptic input of the two main cell-types were defined. The quantitative data obtained in the VB complex were compared with values for the lateral geniculate body (CGL), nucleus anterior ventralis (AV-non-sensory relay thalamic nucleus) and nucleus lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex (LP-PU-associative thalamic nucleus). The quantitative data reveal that: 1. The occurrence of RL terminals is equal in the two relay nuclei (VB and AV) and three-fold higher than in the LP-PU. 2. The percentage ratio of specific terminals (RL) in the total surface area in the relay nuclei is three-fold higher than in the LP-PU. 3. The RL→D synapses are twice as numerous in the relay nuclei as in the associative nucleus. 4. The density of synaptic RS profiles in VB is half of that found in LP-Pu. 5. In the thalamic relay nuclei the number of synaptic contacts on Golgi II type neurons is one-third of the synaptic supply of relay neurons; in the LP-Pu the amount of synaptic contacts on Golgi II type neuron approaches the synaptic supply of projective neurons.

Notizen: Summary Thirty-three cat brains with injections of horseradish peroxidase in various regions of the cerebral cortex were screened for afferent projections from the ventral tegmental area, the locus ceruleus, and the parabrachial nuclei. All three structures were found to project to rather divergent parts of the cortex, including regions in the posterior half of the hemisphere. These results, especially for the ventral tegmental area and, to a lesser degree, for the parabrachial neurons, disagree with most of the target loci of established cortical afferents in the rat. Though our results might be attributed to species differences in the cortical innervation of brain stem structures, we prefer explanations which emphasize different densities in the distribution of brain stem afferents to the cortex, and/or which suggest different cortical targets of catecholaminergic and noncatecholaminergic neurons.

Notizen: Summary 1.Unilateral habituation of the vestibuloocular reflex was produced in adult cats stimulated by repeated unidirectional velocity steps (vestibular training) or by a continuously moving visual surround (optokinetic training). — 2. Unidirectional vestibular training produced a strong asymmetry of vestibuloocular responses (VOR). Responses to velocity steps applied to the “trained” labyrinth were decreased both in gain and in time-constant. This effect generalized to responses to sinusoidal oscillations (0.03 Hz to 0.1 Hz), i.e. to a stimulus not used during training. — No spontaneous nystagmus was ever observed in spite of the dynamic VOR asymmetry. — 3. Unilateral vestibular habituation produced by vestibular training appeared to be a long-lasting phenomenon. It was still present 10 days after the end of training. — 4. Optokinetic responses were not affected by vestibular training. — 5. Unidirectional optokinetic training produced an increase in the slow phase velocity of optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) by about 25% in both directions. This effect did not persist for more than a few minutes. A marked spontaneous nystagmus was recorded in the dark after each session of optokinetic training, with a slow phase in the direction opposite to the previous OKN. — 6. VOR in response to velocity steps and to sinusoidal oscillations were decreased unilaterally after optokinetic training. This effect was of short duration, however, and disappeared within the interval between training sessions. This lack of retention contrasted with the prolonged effect of vestibular training.

Notizen: Summary Vagal sensitivity to carbohydrates (mainly glucose) and to acids (hydrochloric and acetic acids) was studied in the gastro-duodenal region of anesthetized cats. Action potentials were recorded extracellularly from the nodose ganglion by means of glass microelectrodes. Receptors responding to glucose perfusion were found at this level as well as receptors stimulated by acid perfusion. It is shown that each type of receptor was activated by only one kind of stimulus (carbohydrates and acids, respectively). These receptors must thus be considered as true glucoreceptors or acido-receptors. Being silent before activation, these two types of chemoreceptors discharged at a frequency that varied from 2 to 14 imp/s for the acido-receptors, and from 2 to 30 imp/s for the glucoreceptors. The response could be irregular or regular and might last several minutes. Its latency was short (between 1 and 20 s for both types of chemoreceptors. It was therefore supposed that they were located in the mucosa or neighboring structures. From the conduction velocities (0.8–1.2 m/s), it was concluded that fibers originating from the acidoand glucoreceptors belonged to the C type. Recording of the electromyographic activity from the gastro-duodenal region demonstrated that the gluco- and acido-receptors are involved in the regulation of motility of the gastric and duodenal regions.

Notizen: Summary Multiple visual field representations are contained within the feline LP-pulvinar complex; regions differentiated by their afferent and efferent connectivity patterns as the striate-, tecto- and retino-recipient zones. Cell responses from these visuotopic zones were investigated in immobilized cats under N2O/O2 supplemented with pentobarbitone or Althesin, using spot, bar and textured stimuli. Response fields recorded within the LP-pulvinar complex were classified as diffuse, concentric, movement-, direction- or orientation-sensitive. Concentric receptive fields were further classified as sustained (X), transient (Y) or tonic/phasic W-cells. Direction-and movement-sensitive cells predominated in the striate- and tecto-recipient zones, respectively. Motion of noise fields, or noise bars against an identical stationary noise background elicited vigorous responses from cells in the striate zone, many showing a preference for noise stimuli. In contrast, cells from the tectal zone and other divisions of the LP-pulvinar complex were insensitive to noise. The retino-recipient zone at the lateral margin of the pulvinar nucleus was characterized by cells with concentric receptive fields, the majority exhibiting properties similar to W-cells in the LGNd. The evidence supports the notion of functional subdivision within the LP-pulvinar complex corresponding to the visuotopically organized regions defined by their connectivity patterns. Consideration of the retino-recipient zone as an extension of the LGNd-MIN complex is discussed.

Notizen: Summary We studied the pattern of stepping in cats, before and after the placement of lesions in the corticospinal system. We found a deficit after the lesions, which was characterized by increased extension of the involved hindlimbs during the stance (E2–E3) phase of the step cycle. This deficit lasted two weeks or less. It may reflect loss of inhibitory influences upon extensor motoneuron pools.

Notizen: Summary The somatotopic representation of the hindlimb in the gracile nucleus was studied in two cats who had a congenital defect of one hindfoot. The defect comprised all of the foot downward from and including the heel, and the distal third of tibia and fibula. The part of the sciatic nerve normally supplying the lower hindlimb and the hindfoot was reduced in diameter by one third. The motoneurones corresponding to the absent muscles were lacking and replaced by glial elements. The cross-sectional area of the dorsal columns at segment S2 was reduced by more than 20%. The gracile nuclei, in contrast, were not reduced in size. Only the diameter of its neurones was significantly smaller. Electrophysiological single and multi-neurone recordings revealed an altered somatotopic representation in the gracile nucleus on the defective side. The nuclear area normally representing the missing parts of the body surface now received input from the stump. There was no nuclear area devoid of afferent input, and there was no input in the gracile from the forelimb or from the contralateral side. It is concluded that the remaining parts of the leg project onto the gracile nucleus in an ordered fashion, sharing the entire nucleus according to their present afferent fibres.

Notizen: Summary Receptive field centres of cat retinal ganglion cells, as mediated by rod and by cone inputs, were mapped as contours of iso-sensitivity at a mid-mesopic adapting luminance using, respec-tively, 452 nm-blue and 578 nm-yellow narrow-band lights at an intensity 1 log unit above threshold for the most sensitive locus. Based on the sizes and shapes of mapped rod and cone centres for 74 ganglion cells, four receptive field centre categories were distinguished. Cone and rod centres were usually elliptical, and in almost 60% of cells the major axis through the receptive field centre was oriented within ±20 ° of horizontal. In 69%, rod and cone centres were non-concentric, 66% had larger rod than cone centres — area ratios ranging from 0.6 ∶ 1 to 2.9 ∶ 1, and in only two cases was the rod centre actually smaller than the cone centre.

Notizen: Summary Responses of single neurones in the inferior colliculus of anaesthetized adult cats and kittens were studied using best-frequency stimuli of varying interaural intensity difference (IID). Two broad classes of neurone, distinguished by the predominant type of input from each ear, were examined. One class of cells received predominantly excitatory input from each ear (EE cells). The other class were excited by monaural stimulation of the contralateral ear and showed no response to monaural stimulation of the ipsilateral ear, but inhibition of the excitatory response by simultaneous ipsilateral stimulation (EI cells). Fourteen of the 18 adult EI cells showed marked changes in discharge rate with variation in IID. Adult EI cells showed low response variability and were insensitive to changes in average binaural intensity. In all cases of IID sensitivity, the onset component of the response was less sensitive to IID than the sustained component. Eight out of ten EE cells were insensitive to IID over the range tested. Cells of high best-frequency in kittens younger than 28 days showed irregular changes in discharge rate with variation in IID and wide response variability. Some low-frequency EI cells in young kittens showed sensitivity to IID, but it is unlikely that these could be involved in sound localization as their frequency response was inappropriate. Many cells in kittens aged 31–40 days showed monotonic, adult-like IID functions, but the response variability of these cells remained higher than that of adult cat neurones. These data provide evidence for a developmental change of binaural interaction in the cat.

Notizen: Summary A combined Golgi/electron microscopic technique was used to investigate the fine structure and synaptology of Golgi-stained spiny neurons in the caudate nucleus of the cat. In order to study the termination sites of cortical afferents on Golgistained spiny neurons, cortical fibres were caused to degenerate by making extensive cortical lesions 3 days prior to fixation of the animals. When examined in the electron microscope, perikarya of labelled spiny neurons have a round nucleus, a few mitochondria and microtubules, and a poorly developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Only rarely are axo-somatic contacts seen. Labelled dendrites exhibit a moderate number of microtubules and sometimes elongated mitochondria. Numerous labelled spines are seen in the vicinity of their parent dendrites. They are contacted by smaller type I and type III boutons and larger type IV boutons (Hassler et al. 1978). Large boutons filled with clear round vesicles establish symmetric contacts with labelled dendritic shafts. Degenerating boutons of cortical afferents are seen in contact with spines and, more rarely, with dendritic shafts of Golgi-stained spiny neurons. All degenerating boutons synapsing with labelled structures are found some distance from the cell body. No contacts of degenerating cortical boutons with the soma or with stem dendrites of Golgi-stained spiny neurons are found.

Notizen: Summary The relationship of brisk transient and brisk-sustained unit cut-off frequencies to their respective array cut-off frequencies has been calculated by means of sampling theory from the corresponding α and β-mode cell densities at various retinal eccentricities. Interpretation of the results depends on whether on and off cells of each class are functionally homogeneous or heterogeneous populations. In agreement with expectations from sampling theory for a system involved in resolution tasks, it is found that the brisk-sustained system has less potential for undersampling and spurious imagery than the brisk-transient system, which is thought to play a different role. The brisk-sustained array could avoid such aliasing altogether if it is functionally heterogeneous. The differences between the two systems are similar to those between insect eyes respectively optimised for high resolution vision or the detection of high velocity image motion.

Notizen: Summary Responses from lateral rectus, medial rectus and retractor bulbi nerves were obtained following electrical stimulation of the vibrissal pad of the cat. Discharges in afferent fibres dissected from the infraorbital nerve were recorded during movements of the vibrissae and following electrical stimulation of the vibrissal pad. Both stimuli activated the same population of Aα fibers. Intracellular records were obtained from lateral rectus motoneurones identified antidromically in the principal abducens nucleus and from retractor bulbi motoneurones similarly identified in the accessory abducens nucleus. EPSPs (3 mV) were recorded in lateral rectus motoneurones following electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral vibrissal pad at a latency of 3.5 ms. Large-amplitude disynaptic EPSPs (15 mV) were recorded in retractor bulbi motoneurones following the same vibrissal stimulation. The synaptic excitation evoked in both lateral rectus and retractor bulbi motoneurones through stimulation of the ipsilateral vibrissal pad induced an early retraction followed by an abduction of the eye ball. The hypothesis is that the vibrissal message might complement other sensory modalities in the generation of patterned eye movements.

Notizen: Summary Three-dimensional reconstructions of the orientation column system were obtained from the visual cortex of four cats using the deoxyglucose technique. One cat had normal visual experience, one was monocularly deprived and two had selective experience with vertical and horizontal contours, respectively. In areas 17 and 18 orientation columns form a remarkably regular system of equally spaced parallel bands whose trajectory is orthogonal to the borderline between areas 17 and 18. This topographic organization is resistant to manipulations of early visual experience.

Notizen: Summary The relationship between the variance and mean rate of discharges of simple cells in the cat striate cortex has been examined when mean rate was varied by changing either stimulus spatial frequency or contrast. In both cases, the variance was related to the mean discharge rate by an exponent of about 1.15; the relation was thus roughly linear. The discharge variance was on average 1.7 times the mean rate for data obtained from measurements of the neurones' spatial frequency tuning curves, and 1.48 times the mean for data from the response-contrast determination. However, this difference was not statistically significant.

Notizen: Summary In the cat, the asymmetry of vertical nystagmus in response to a rotation around the Yaxis has been characterized by measuring the beat frequency and gain of vestibulo-ocular reflexes in each direction (upward and downward). Sinusoidal variations of head velocity or velocity steps have been applied under three visual conditions (a) in darkness (pure vestibular stimulation); (b) in the light (mixed vestibular and optokinetic stimulation); (c) with a mirror placed in front of the animal; since the mirror image moved with the head, the animal was provided with a stable visual cue (stabilized vision). In all three conditions, beat frequency and gain were greater for downward than for upward nystagmus (the direction refers to that of the quick phase). In darkness, the characteristics of postrotatory nystagmus suggested a greater time constant for downward than for upward vestibulo-ocular reflexes. In the light, both stimuli acted synergistically. In stabilized vision, upward vestibular nystagmus was preferentially suppressed, suggesting an algebraic summation of the effects arising from both kinds of stimuli.

Notizen: Summary The receptive field organization of simple cells was studied by analyzing interaction effects between two stationary flashing light stimuli. One stimulus was positioned in the most responsive part of the receptive field to produce activity against which the effects of the other stimulus in various positions of the visual field could be determined. The receptive field was subdivided into an elongated center and elongated antagonistic flanks. The effects on the flanks were always considerably stronger on one side. Powerful flank suppression could be elicited within a region which usually was only slightly wider than the receptive field center. The suppression was just as stimulus specific as the activation of the center and occurred only by light ON or OFF. The cells were classified into ON-dominant and OFF-dominant depending on the kind of response found in the center. In ON-dominant cells the strong flank suppression occurred only by light ON, and light OFF produced enhancement. Correspondingly, the strong flank suppression occurred only by light OFF in OFF-dominant cells. This is consistent with the interpretation that simple cells have excitatory and inhibitory input from the same type of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), i.e., only from ON-center or OFF-center cells. The small size of the area where strong flank suppression occurred shows that inhibition comes from a few LGN cells rather than from a large pool of cells. A model for simple cell receptive fields presuming overlapping but acentric excitatory and inhibitory fields with input to both fields from either ON- or OFF-center LGN cells was tested by computer simulation and shown to fit the experimental data.

Notizen: Summary The receptive field organization of complex cells was studied by analyzing interaction effects between two stationary flashing light stimuli. One was placed in the most responsive part of the receptive field to produce activity against which effects of the other in different visual field positions could be determined. The receptive field was spatially organized into antagonistic center and flanks just like the fields of simple cells. However, both center and flanks were found within the receptive field area where a single slit evoked discharge. Center and flanks were elongated along the optimal stimulus orientation. The flanks were displaced from the center normal to optimal stimulus orientation. In the center, ON- and OFF-responses were usually about equal in strength and the maximum ON- and OFF-responses occurred in about the same position. This shows that complex cells are activated by input from both ON- and OFF-center cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) where the receptive field centers of the LGN cells overlap closely. This explains most of the specific features of complex cells, e.g., the spatially overlapping ON- and OFF-zones, the large response field, the repetitive firing when a slit moves over the receptive field, and the marked non-linear spatial summation. Strong flank suppression occurred with both ON and OFF. The effects were usually stronger on one side of the center. Maximal suppression occurred on the same side with both ON and OFF. This is consistent with the interpretation that complex cells are inhibited by input from both LGN ON- and OFF-center cells with overlapping receptive field centers. A model presuming that complex cells have overlapping but acentric excitatory and inhibitory fields was tested by computer simulation and shown to fit the experimental data. This is the same model as presented for simple cells in the preceding paper (Heggelund 1980), except that the excitatory and inhibitory fields of simple cells have input from either ON- or OFF-center LGN cells, whereas in complex cells they have input from both types.

Notizen: Summary All cells in the nucleus of the optic tract (NOT) of the cat, that Bcould be activated antidromically from the inferior olive, were shown to be direction-specific, as influenced by horizontal movements of an extensive visual stimulus. Cells in the left NOT were activated by leftward and inhibited by rightward movement, while those in the right NOT were activated by rightward and inhibited by leftward movement. Vertical movements did not modulate the spontaneous activity of the cells. The mean spontaneous discharge rate in 50 NOT cells was 30 spikes/s. This direction-specific response was maintained over a broad velocity range (〈0.1 ° – 〉100 °/s). Velocities over 200 °/s could inhibit NOT cells regardless of stimulus direction. All cells in the NOT were driven by the contralateral eye, about half of them by the ipsilateral eye also. In addition, activation through the contralateral eye was stronger in most binocular units. Binocular cells preferred the same direction in the visual space through both eyes. An area approximately corresponding to the visual streak in the cat's retina projected most densely onto NOT cells. This included an extensive ipsilateral projection. No clear retinotopic order was seen. The most sensitive zone in the very large receptive fields (most diameters being 〉20 °) was along the horizontal zero meridian of the visual field. The retinal input to NOT cells was mediated by W-fibers. The striking similarities between the input characteristics of NOT-cells and optokinetic nystagmus are discussed. The direction selectivity and ocular dominance of the NOT system as a whole can provide a possible explanation for the directional asymmetry in the cat's optokinetic nystagmus when only one eye is stimulated.

Notizen: Summary The influence of postural support on posturo-kinetic co-ordination has been studied with a model of movement consisting of limb flexion induced by stimulation of the motor cortex in chronically implanted cats. To more easily quantify the responses by measuring the vertical forces exerted at the level of the four limbs, only weak stimuli were used, mainly triggering isometric motor activity. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence on the motor responses of various postural supports leading to a weight distribution between the limbs which differs from the normal situation. Three kinds of initial posture were tested. The first was obtained by directing the head of the cat to the left or to the right. The second type consisted in raising one or two of the platforms supporting the limbs. The third was obtained by adding a load to one of the limbs. The main results established in these conditions were the following: The latencies of the beginning of the movement and its associated postural adjustment, as revealed by the onset of force changes, were independent of the initial postural situation. Whatever the initial weight distribution, the amplitudes of force variations induced by given intensities of cortical stimulation were generally constant, though small variations of amplitude were noted in some cases. When there were changes in the response amplitudes, all four limbs were generally affected. The effect was observed whatever the limb concerned by modification of the support. This not only means that the postural responses depend on the amplitude of the movement but also that the amplitude of the movement itself may be modified according to perturbations affecting the postural limbs. Comparison of the present data with previous results leads to the hypothesis that a postural reference is taken into account in the determination of amplitudes of responses to cortical stimulation.

Notizen: Abstract A modified horseradish peroxidase labelling technique was used to study the distribution pattern of neurons in the central chemosensitive fields of the medulla oblongata of cats. In several cryosectioned medullae a mapping of superficially located HRP-labelled neurons was achieved. The distribution and configuration of the labelled neurons indicate that most of them belong to the nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis. However, by varying the time of incubation it was possible to identify different types of neurons. On the basis of certain aspects of the HRP incorporation mode and neuronal topography a specific type of small-sized neurons has been identified. Some functional implications of these small neurons with respect to their possible chemosensitive activity are discussed.

Notizen: Abstract The effects of vestibular and trigeminal stimulation on reflex responses of each slip of the retractor bulbi muscle were tested by recording the electromyogram. 1. In “encéphale isolé” cat, phasic electrical stimulation of the horizontal canal induced no response in the RB slips. Repetitive vestibular stimulation did not produce nystagmus in the RB muscle while strong muscular discharges were observed in the nystagmus lateral rectus muscle. 2. In anaesthetized cats, three trigeminal inputs elicited strong reflex responses in each slip of the RB muscle. Electrical stimulation of the vibrissae or the infra-orbital nerve evoked a two component reflex response (latencies: 5ms±0.5 and 14ms±2). Electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve elicited a single component reflex response (latency: 6ms±0.5). Electrical stimulation of the long ciliary nerves evoked a complex response with four components (latencies: 7.5ms±0.5, 10ms±2,15ms±2,20ms±2) 3. Pentobarbital and morphine produced lasting depression of the reflex responses of the RB muscle. The depressive effect of morphine was reversed by naloxone.

Notizen: Summary Application of paraoxon into the left vertebral artery (8–80 μg) or both the left and right vertebral artery (4–8 μg) of the anaesthetized cat evoked dose-dependent depressor effects, whereas heart rate was not influenced significantly. Also after systemic administration of paraoxon (150–825 μg·kg−1), while peripheral muscarinic receptors were blocked, depressor effects were still observed. Dose-response curves for the depressor response to paraoxon were established. Infusion of low doses of dexetimide via the vertebral artery prevented the hypotensive action of paraoxon. The distribution of this antimuscarinic drug in the brain was investigated. The depressor effect of paraoxon can be attributed to both a decrease in peripheral resistance and cardiac output. Decerebration and midcollicular transection were carried out in order to elucidate the site and mechanism of action. The depressor effect of paraoxon seems to be mediated by a central mechanism of action located within the lower brain stem. It is concluded that stimulation of muscarinic receptors in the pontomedullary region gives rise to the observed changes in haemodynamic parameters. Muscarinic receptors in the hypothalamus seem to be of minor importance for the hypotensive action of paraoxon.

Notizen: Summary The silver-impregnation procedure of Tsujiyama is suitable for demonstration of all three classical types of neuroglial cells; in the present study it was used for electron microscopic identification of neuroglial cells in the brain of the cat. The aim of the present study was 1) to determine impregnated structural correlates of neuroglial cells at the light- and electron-microscopic levels, and 2) to determine whether the method of Tsujiyama is applicable for the electron microscopic identification of the single types of neuroglial cells. Silver deposits were observed over the cytoplasm and processes of astrocytes where numerous glial filaments were present. Oligodendrocytes and microglial cells may be precisely differentiated by use of Tsujiyama's silver impregnation method at the electron microscopic level due to the pattern of silver-deposition in these two basic types of cells. This silver-impregnation method combined with electron microscopy is thus suitable for a precise identification of neuroglial cells; the technique may prove to be very helpful in identification of such categories of neuroglial cells that encompass also the images of cells which cannot be classified by use of the standard methods.

Notizen: Zusammenfassung Die Entwicklung der an der Oberfläche registrierten cochlearen und frühen neuralen Potentiale wurde bei der Katze von der Geburt bis zur 8. Woche studiert. CM, SP und jeder der neuralen Wellen haben ein charakteristisches altersbedingtes Entwicklungsmuster und eine Responsschwelle. Welle IV wird am wenigsten von einer Reduktion in der Stimulusintensität beeinflußt. Die Schwelle der beiden cochlearen Potentiale sind dagegen erhöht. Tiere mit angeborener einseitiger Taubheit sind bestens geeignet für das Studium der funktionellen Reifung der Gehörbahnen, besonders in bezug auf die exakten Latenzzeitmessungen.

Notizen: Zusammenfassung Ein Jahr nach Labyrinthektomie wurde eine quantitative Analyse der Neuronen im Ganglion Scarpae der Katze durchgeführt. Die Gesamtzahl der Perikarya war 30% niedriger als in den unoperiert belassenen kontralateralen Ohren. Obwohl die verbleibenden Neuronen degenerative Veränderungen wie Schrumpfung und Vakuolen aufwiesen, waren die Anteile an großen und kleinen Neuronen unverändert.

Notizen: Summary Cats were treated with high doses of chloroquine for one year during which the ocular fundus was periodically examined. After completion of the treatment, the tapetal cells were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Prolonged treatment with the retinotoxic drug chloroquine reduced the light reflection of the fundus, and examination by light and electron microscopy revealed a destruction of the rod-like structures in the cytoplasm of the tapetal cells.

Notizen: Summary The structure of mesenchymal cells distributed in some of the “hypendymal organs” of the circumventricular system in the cat and rat was demonstrated after intravenous injection of high doses of horseradish peroxidase. These cellular elements were observed in the vicinity of blood vessels of the organon vasculosum laminae terminalis, subfornical organ and area postrema. Electron-microscopically, these cells located between the basal laminae of the brain parenchyma and the blood capillaries show long cellular processes encircling fenestrated capillaries. Light and electron-microscopic examination revealed that this cell type is identical with the “horseradish peroxidase-uptake cells”, previously reported in the vicinity of the hypophysial portal system. Such phagocytic cells may be considered as a cellular component intervening between the brain parenchyma and the blood stream, playing a role in selective barrier functions in the above-mentioned circumventricular organs where a blood-brain barrier in the classical sense of the definition is lacking.

Notizen: Summary 1. The cardiac glyoosides digitoxin, ouabain, digoxin and peruvosid labelled with3H were injected into tied intestinal loops of anaesthetized cats in situ. The absorbed glycosides were measured in the blood of the portal vein and in the intestinal lymph. At the same time the3H-activity was measured in the blood of the peripheral circulation, in the bile and in the urine. 2. Calculation of the amount of glycosides totally absorbed from the3H-concentration in the blood of the portal vein and the circulation volume (bubble-flow-meter) gave the following absorption rates as a percentage of the administered dose per hour: digitoxin 56%, digoxin 42%, peruvosid 26% and ouabain 10%. 3. The amount of glycosides passing into the lymph during 1 hour was found to be only 0.006 to 0.02% of the amount offered. In lymph3H-activity cannot be measured earlier than 5 min after the administration of the labelled glycosides. The3H-concentration in the lymph did not equal that measured in the blood of the peripheral circulation until at least 1 hour after the administration and always remained below the3H-concentration of the blood in the portal vein. This proportion remained unchanged even if digitoxin was administered as an emulsion in oil instead of an aqueous solution. From the time course of3H-concentration it might be concluded that the glycosides do not pass directly to the lymph after absorption but indirectly by way of the blood. 4. The amount of glycoside excreted in the bile is for peruvosid 15,5% of the amount absorbed, for ouabain 1,9%, for digoxin 1,4% and for digitoxin 0,8%. The3H-activity excreted in urine is very small and can be disregarded. 5. Chromatographic analyses of the bile revealed, that in the case of digoxin, 4/5 of the amount excreted were unchanged, in the case of digitoxin and ouabain 2/3 and in the case of peruvosid only 1/4. In the lumen of the tied intestinal loops and in the tissue of the small intestine the glycosides were hardly metabolised.

Notizen: Summary In investigations on 27 cats of both sexes, the arterial supply of the corpus callosum was studied. The findings are as follows: In the region comprising rostrum and genu as well as in the fore and middle trunk sections, blood supplied by branches of the arteriae pericallosae and the arteriae genu corporis callosi which originate from the arteria cerebri anterior. These branches were designated arteriae callosi superiores and inferiores. However, in the posterior section of the trunk and in the splenium the blood is supplied by branches of the aa. pericall. and, in addition, by branches of the arteriae cerebri media and posteriores. The blood vessels penetrate the corpus callosum in bayonet fashion, then arborise and finally become a capillary network which is elongated in the direction of the course of the nerve fibres. Attention is drawn to peculiarities of the arteria carotis interna and the circle of Willis which, although known in the literature, are rarely referred to.

Notizen: Summary In four litters of young cats, some of the brains were fixed by perfusion and the others by immersion. The material was embedded in paraffin and the neuroglia was investigated in sections through the corpus callosum. It was found that: 1. After fixation by perfusion the nuclei of the glia cells are large and elliptic. The caryoplasm is clear and there is a distinct structure of the chromatin. After fixation by immersion the nuclei of the same cells are small and round. The caryoplasm is dense and the structure of the chromatin is not clearly visible. 2. After fixation by perfusion mitotic figures are present. They are absent in the brains fixed by immersion. 3. Following different fixation, there are differences in the shape of the nuclei of the glial cells. These differences have been investigated in detail by measuring the diameters of the nuclei.

Notizen: Summary The lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) has been studied with the light and electron microscope after midbrain lesions in kittens of different ages, and in adult cats. It has been shown that nerve cells remain within the contralateral LCN after hemisection of the midbrain. performed on 1 day old kittens. The estimated number of these remaining cells was 3–19% in the different cases. No fibers descending to the LCN from levels rostral to the midbrain could be demonstrated in adult cats with the Nauta technique. A combined Nauta and electron microscopical investigation was performed on kittens operated on at different ages and allowed to survive varying times postoperatively. At the operations the LCN-axons were transected at midbrain level. The Nauta investigation demonstrated silver impregnation of degenerating LCN-neurons on the affected side of the same type as has been described recently in other neuronal systems following axonal transection. The ultrastructural study revealed electron dense degenerating dendrites and probably also nerve cells within the LCN. The dense degenerative changes were very similar to the dense degeneration in terminal boutons following transection of parent axons. The potential value of the findings for electron microscopical research in neuroanatomy is discussed. The results in terms of connections of the LCN are discussed in the light of known anatomical and physiological data of the LCN.

Notizen: Summary 1. The startle reflex evoked by cutaneous stimulation in cats under chloralose anesthesia is inhibited for more than 200 ms by a conditioning cortical volley. The interaction between the cutaneous and the cortical volley takes place in the bulbar and pontine reticular formation. 2. The startle reflex involves a series of reticular neurones. Resistance to repetitive stimulation has been determined to evaluate the functional localization of each neurone within this polysynaptic path. 3. Inhibition following the cortical volley becomes increasingly more effective along the course of the polysynaptic path and is completed within 5–6 ms. Reticular neurones excited directly by the spino-reticular afferents are not inhibited, thus excluding a presynaptic inhibition of the spinoreticular fibres.

Notizen: Summary Examination of cutaneous receptive fields (RFs) of lamina 5 cells in the lumbar spinal cord of decerebrate cats shows them to have three distinct zones with respect to mechanical and electrical stimulation. The mean response rate to both mechanical and electrical stimulation in zone 1 increases steadily up to the highest strengths used; in zone 2, surrounding zone 1 mainly proximally, mild stimuli reduce the mean rate, stronger stimuli increase it; in zone 3, mainly proximal to zone 2, all stimuli reduce the rate. Temporally, zone 1, electric shocks near threshold produce bursts of firing followed by inhibition. With increased stimulus strength, the bursts lengthen to a second or more. In zones 2 and 3, inhibition at all strengths is preceded at higher strengths by bursts of firing. Cold-blocking the spinal cord at lower thoracic levels reversibly increases the ongoing activity of these cells, increases the area of zones 1 and 2, and almost completely suppresses all inhibition. Stimulation of dorsal columns and threshold stimulation of distant dorsal roots inhibits ongoing and induced activity. Barbiturate decreases ongoing activity and the duration of firing produced by cutaneous electrical stimulation but does not decrease inhibition. These results are consistent with a model in which low-threshold fibres are excitatory only over a small central area of the RF of a lamina 5 cell (zone 1), high threshold fibres are excitatory over a larger area (zones 1 and 2), and low threshold fibres are inhibitory over the entire receptive field (zones 1, 2 and 3) with a slower time-course. This inhibition is tonically enhanced by descending influences in the decerebrate cat. It is suggested that the high and low threshold fibres correspond approximately to the small and large diametre fibres whose balance is the basis for the coding of pain in the theory of melzack and wall.

Notizen: Summary Spontaneous EEG-patterns and evoked potentials (EP's) of symmetrical cortical areas were recorded in chronic and acute cats before and after section of the corpus callosum, the commissura anterior and posterior and the massa intermedia. The spontaneous EEG was recorded without and with anesthesia, EP's after electrical stimulation of the fore-paws only during nembutal anesthesia. — No changes in the bilateral coordination of spontaneous and evoked EEG-patterns could be seen after commissurotomy (CT). The bilateral coherence of EEG-waves as revealed by cross-correlation is low already in the normal cats and does not change significantly after CT. The values of cross-correlation coefficients at T = ± 15 msec vary during one EEG-record between -0.25 and +0.25 in the somatosensory, suprasylvian and temporal areas (mean values slightly above 0). In the visual area occasionally positive values between 0.5 and 0.8 were seen, but also here a large variation was found in all animals and the mean values were below 0.1. No consistent phase shift between both sides was observed. EEG-patterns like spindles or arousal, still occurred together in both hemispheres after CT, the variability of their exact beginning or end was the same as in controls. Spontaneous spindles often lasted longer after section of the massa intermedia. Homolateral EP's in the somato-sensory area were still present after CT. Rhythmical afterdischarges could be restricted to the contralateral somato-sensory cortex even before CT.

Notizen: Summary 1. Field and unitary potentials evoked in the vestibulo-cerebellum of frog and cat following vestibular nerve stimulation were recorded with microelectrodes and correlated with their site of origin in the various layers of the cerebellar cortex. 2. In the frog, primary vestibular fibers project both as mossy and as climbing fibers onto the cerebellar auricular lobe. Secondary vestibulo-cerebellar fibers seem to end exclusively as mossy fibers in the auriculum. As a consequence of this dual projection, extra- and intracellular recordings from Purkinje cells in the auricular lobe show two kinds of responses to vestibular nerve stimulation: a) graded, repetitive firing mediated through mossy fiber-granule cell-parallel fiber pathways, and b) all-or-none burst responses caused by monosynaptic impingement of vestibular climbing fibers on Purkinje cells. 3. The field and unitary potentials evoked in the cat nodulus, flocculus and uvula following vestibular nerve stimulation are shown to be generated by mossy fibers exclusively. Considerable convergence of the two labyrinthine mossy fiber inputs to a given cerebellar area was found. 4. Interaction of contralateral and ipsilateral mossy fiber input at the level of the flocculus suggests that Golgi cell inhibition might operate not only as a simple inhibitory feedback loop, but also as a complex gating operator at the granule layer. 5. No short latency climbing fiber activation of Purkinje cells was observed following VIIIth nerve stimulation. Stimulation of the contralateral inferior olive evoked short latency climbing fiber EPSPs in Purkinje cells of the vestibulo-cerebellum. Suggestions are made as to the possible role of mossy and climbing fiber inputs to this area of the cerebellum.

Notizen: Summary The effects of cortical stimulation upon dynamic and static sensitivities of the sensory endings in muscle spindles have been analyzed. 63 single afferent fibers from the muscle spindles of the forelimb extensors: M. flexor carpi radialis, M. flexor digitorum communis and M. palmaris longus were isolated in dorsal root filaments in 20 adult cats under chloralose-urethane anesthesia. They were identified by their response to stimulation of the median nerve. 1. Surface anodal repetitive stimulation of the anterior sigmoid gyrus was found to produce an enhancement of static response of single Group II fibers. Effective area was localized in a restricted region which corresponded to the forelimb motor area. The effect was obtained without any concomitant muscle contraction. Similarly, the stimulation increased the resting discharges of the Group Ia fibers from the same muscles. 2. Stimulation of the same area in the cerebral cortex was also found to increase the dynamic sensitivities of primary sensory endings. The increase was revealed by an enhancement of initial burst discharge during relaxation period of a twitch contraction caused by median nerve stimulation. 3. These results indicate that stimulation of the forelimb motor area has a facilitatory effect on both the static and dynamic fusimotor neurons innervating the muscle spindles of the test muscles. 4. The effects were reproduced in pyramidal tract preparations in which the brainstem was cut either at the level of the midbrain except for the cerebral peduncle or at the level of caudal medulla oblongata sparing the pyramid. 5. The threshold for the fusimotor effects was less than 1.3–1.5 times threshold of the pyramidal tract discharge, when the best spot for eliciting the fusimotor response was chosen. These results indicate that the effects of cortical stimulation are mainly mediated by the fast conducting pyramidal tract fibers.

Notizen: Summary Effects of repetitive stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) on the static discharge and dynamic sensitivity of muscle spindle primary endings (soleus muscle) were studied in cats anaesthetized with Halothane (Fluothane). By progressive increasing the depth of anaesthesia three different fusimotor effects could be observed: 1. A static effect; the static discharge of the primary endings was strongly increased; the response to phasic stretch was decreased or remained unaltered. 2. A dynamic effect; the dynamic sensitivity of the primary endings was powerfully increased while the rate of discharge under static conditions was only slightly augmented. 3. A depressant effect; the static discharge and the dynamic sensitivity of primary endings were decreased. Repeated stimulation elicited successive static and dynamic effects. No specific regions within the MRF could be related to a particular effect.

Notizen: Summary 1. During a progressive increase of Fluothane (Halothane) anaesthesia, repetitive stimulation of the mesencephalic retioular formation (MRF) produces several fusimotor effects — static, dynamic or depressant — on primary endings of soleus muscle spindles (Vedel et Mouillac-Baudevin 1969). 2. Transection of the brain immediately rostral to the site of stimulation may increase the dynamic effect but does not alter the static or the depressant effects. 3. A section of the rubrospinal tract does not modify the fusimotor effects elicited by stimulation of the MRF. 4. Transections of the spinal cord have shown that the pathways responsible for the transmission of these effects are mainly situated in the ipsilateral ventral and ventrolateral funiculi which contain the efferent fibers from the pontine reticular formation (PRF), from the bulbar reticular formation (BRF) and from the vestibular nucleus. 5. Contra and ipsilateral PRF stimulation produces the static fusimotor effect; contralateral stimulation from a small anterior region produces the dynamic effect. 6. Stimulation of the lateral part of the ipsilateral BRF elicits the dynamic effect while stimulation of the medial part elicits the static effect.

Notizen: Summary 1. In order to compare the selective value of repetitive cathodal pulses of 8 c.p.s. and of continuous sine-wave alternating currents of 5000 c.p.s. (middle frequency current) when applied to brain tissue, explorations were made in the region of the hypothalamus that had yielded defence and/or flight reactions in earlier experiments. The region was explored by stimulating each point in turn with both current forms. At the same time measurement was made of the impedance of the brain tissue, and the effects produced by altering the time of rise of the middle frequency current on threshold of responses were also studied. The experiments were carried out on unanaesthetized, freely moving cats. 2. Both stimulation types produced affective (“emotional”) responses. The patterns elicited by low frequency cathodal pulse stimulation were often associated with stimulus-bound phasic muscle activity, i.e., flapping of ears, and twitching of whiskers, or, rotation of the head. Such extraneous motor effects were rarely obtained when continuous middle frequency currents were applied, and were tonic in character when present. 3. Mapping of reactive points revealed that the area producing defence or flight following middle frequency stimulation is smaller in size than the field delimited by means of repetitive cathodal pulse stimulation. These results strongly suggest that spread of current can be reduced by using middle frequency current stimulation. This apparently local (and hence highly selective) action is paralleled by a lower impedance of the brain tissue to the rapidly changing polarity of this current. 4. The hissing (and/or growling) associated with the defence pattern showed adaptation to suddenly rising middle frequency currents of 30 secs duration. An increase in threshold of hissing occurred when the time of rise of the current was prolonged. Flight, in contrast, was obtained at the same critical intensity regardless of the time of rise of current. 5. The nature of the stimulatory action of middle frequency current (examined in the peripheral nerve by Wyss) and the advantages presented by this new method of brain stimulation are briefly discussed.

Notizen: Summary The ultrastructure of terminal degeneration within the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) after transection of its spinal afferent fibers 2 days–2 years earlier is described. The degeneration after 2 days was of both the neurofilamentous and dense type. The highest number of degenerating terminals, about 15%, was found after 4–5 days. Then most of the degenerating boutons were of the dense type. The degenerating terminals had synaptic contact with cell bodies and dendrites of LCN-neurons. Removal of the degenerating boutons seemed to be effected by a phagocytic cell present in increased number compared to the normal LCN. In cases with long survival times an increase in the number of astroglial filaments was observed. In an animal where the spinal afferents to the LCN had been cut 2 years earlier a decrease in medium size of the neurons was observed. The amount of dendritic spines was also considerably smaller than normally.

Notizen: Summary 1. Inhibitory activity in the cat medial geniculate body (MG) was examined by stimulating electrically and acoustically the input and output of the MG. 2. A longer and more profound depression of excitability occurs following a click-evoked potential in the MG than in the inferior colliculus (IC) in both anesthetized and unanesthetized states. Recovery is cyclic in the barbiturate MG preparation. 3. Electrical stimulation of the brachium of the inferior colliculus (BIG) evokes a field potential in the MG consisting of clearly distinguishable presynaptic and postsynaptic components. The presynaptic component recovers rapidly, while the postsynaptic component requires 100–200 msec for full recovery. This depression of excitability is localized within the MG since cortical ablation does not alter its occurrence. 4. Stimulation of the BIC mimics the effects of click stimulation on single units. Excitatory, inhibitory and reverberatory responses are evoked by the BIC shock. Suppression of single unit activity correlates with the depression of excitability following a BIC-evoked field response. 5. Cortical stimulation can evoke antidromic and trans-synaptic unit responses in the MG, as well as causing a variety of inhibitory effects and reverberation. In view of the fact that cortical ablation does not impair the recording of these responses to afferent stimuli, it is suggested that the cortical-evoked responses are at least partly mediated by antidromic conduction to MG. 6. Evidence is presented that inhibitory effects of both afferent and cortical stimulation are due to active inhibition of MG unit activity. Speculations are made as to the mechanisms producing inhibition and reverberation in the MG.

Notizen: Summary The electron microscopical changes occurring in the pontine nuclei following unilateral lesions of the primary sensorimotor cortex have been studied in 7 cats with a survival time from 2–23 days. A description is also given of the fine structure of the pontine regions in receipt of the fibres. These regions are shown in Fig. 1. The study shows that the boutons are practically only in synaptic contact with dendrites. The bouton density on these is only 16%. The boutons are of the en passage and terminal type, with the latter as the most common (Figs. 4a-e). The synaptic vesicles are rounded or elongated. The formaldehyde fixed material had 17.8% boutons with vesicles of the elongated type; the material fixed with a mixture of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde had only 11.5% of such boutons. The degenerating boutons show the dark type of reaction and the majority of the corticopontine fibres are of the type shown in Figs. 4d and 4e. Astrocytes and microglial cells participate in the removal of degenerating boutons and terminal fibres. Degenerating boutons are present even at the 23 day stage and some have apparently only started to degenerate.

Notizen: Summary In 35 cats (encéphale isolé) evoked responses were elicited and recorded with bipolar electrodes from the amygdala, hippocampus, septum, dorsomedial thalamic nucleus, posterior hypothalamus, and mesencephalic reticular formation. Correlations between the thresholds of responses in different areas following stimulation of other areas were described by a factor analysis according to the principal axis method. 435 coefficients of correlation were calculated and reproduced by a matrix of 5 factors for the purpose of data reduction. Each factor represented high threshold correlations between the efferent projections of one region, which suggests that the activity of the stimulated site exerts a major influence on the evoked potential threshold. This is supported by pharmacological studies [27, 49]. Covariations of responses recorded in the same nucleus were always found, if the latencies exceeded 11 msec. The factor matrix indicated threshold correlations between: the efferent projections of the hypothalamus and several long latency afferent projections to the hippocampus (positive correlations); reticulo-limbic connections and “primary” efferent connections of the amygdala and hippocampus (positive correlations); evoked potentials following reticular and amygdaloid stimulation (negative correlations); the efferent projections of the dorsomedial thalamic nucleus and long latency limbic projections to the mesencephalic reticular formation (positive correlations). The interpretation of these relationships confirms and extends some well known models of relations between subcortical regions. The applicability of factor analysis to evoked potential thresholds is discussed with regard to the linearity of the mathematical method.

Notizen: Summary 1. The results presented in the present paper are an extension of preceding work devoted to exploration of the hypothalamic defence and flight fields using coaxial electrodes with small cathode. In 33 cats simultaneous stimulation was applied to two points which upon single stimulation had yielded defence, flight, or defence and flight respectively. Results were compared with those produced at either point alone. In 2 cats combined stimulation of a defence and a flight point was carried out with a stuffed cat present. 2. The latencies and rates of the vocal effects associated with defence (growling and hissing), and the latencies of flight (jump from the table) were measured. 3. Simultaneous stimulation of two points which had yielded defence, or of two points which had yielded flight resulted in facilitation (spatial summation) of the effects evoked: a more complete defence response associated with decrease of the latencies and increase in the rates of the vocal effects; decrease of flight latencies and increase of flight impetuosity. 4. Simultaneous stimulation of a defence point which had yielded growling at lower threshold than hissing, and of a point which had yielded flight resulted in facilitation of hissing. Growling and flight were often suppressed; when they occurred, latencies were lengthened and growling rates were increased somewhat. 5. Stimulation of a defence point with a dummy present produces striking (fending off). Simultaneous stimulation of a flight point resulted in facilitation of both hissing and striking. 6. It is concluded that the complex patterns obtained when defence is combined with flight are the result of facilitatory and inhibitory interaction between the elements of the individual patterns.

Notizen: Summary 1. Spatial summation of suprathreshold light stimuli within receptive field centers (RFZ) of retinal ganglion cells was investigated during dark and light adaptation in cats. The mean discharge rates for 200 and 500 msec following light on or off were the computed response criteria. The summation effects were analyzed for single neurones and statistically for grouped neuron populations of the two neuronal subsystems B (on-center-neurones) and D (off-center-neurones). 2. Spatial summation is restricted to a small part of the RFZ. On-centerneurones increase their on-discharge rates with increasing spot sizes, only if the stimulus illuminates less than 1/5 of the RFZ. The summating area of the off-centerneurones is smaller (about 1/10 of the RFZ). 3. The limitation of spatial summation to a small part of the RFZ indicates the existance of inhibition within the RFZ. This center-inhibition sets a constant limit for excitation summation in the RFZ. 4. The mean neuronal response rates for the 2 subsystems show significant differences: The on-discharges of the on-center-neurones exceed the off-discharges of the off-center-neurones by a factor of 3–5. These highly significant differences occur at both adaptation levels and are not due to different spontaneous activity. Interneuronal response variability of the off-center-neurones was twice as large as that of the on-center-neurones. 5. Change from dark to light adaptation had only a small but significant influence on summation properties. The poststimulus discharge rates were higher during light adaptation and the summating area was slightly larger (about 5–10%). 6. A comparative curve fitting procedure for three suitable mathematical functions revealed that the hyperbola describes the neuronal summation curves better than a logarithmic or power function. The latter do not fit the constant asymptotic part of the curve. The significance of the results for a dynamic interpretation of the organisation of visual receptive fields is discussed.

Notizen: Summary 1. Spatial summation in the receptive field center of neurones of the lateral geniculate body (CGL) is limited by inhibition to a small part of field center. Variations of stimulus size are only effective if the stimulus is smaller than about 1/5 of the area of receptive field center. Thus, the active summating area of the field center in the CGL corresponds to that of the retina. Geniculate neurones, however, show less homogeneous responses and the summation properties of the two neuronal subsystems (on-center-and off-center-cells), show greater differences than in the retina. 2. The form of summation curves for the on-center-neurones of the CGL is similar to those of the retina at both adaptation levels. However, the average responses rates in the CGL are considerably lower. This is not due to differences of spontaneous activity. 3. The summation characteristics of off-responses of off-center-neurones of the CGL are quite different from those in the retina. In dark adaptation the majority of CGL neurones respond with decreasing discharge rates to increasing spot-sizes within the field center. A small number show an initial increase of discharge rates up to stimulus sizes of about 1/10 of the receptive field center before a decrease occurs. This parabolic summation type is typical for most off-center-neurones in light adaptation. The mean discharge levels are the same as those of the retinal offcenter-neurones. 4. The higher interneuronal variability of summation curves especially of the off-center-neurones of the CGL indicates a more complex determination of the discharge properties of CGL neurones. This functional differentiation of single neurones is congruent with the more complex structural and synaptic organisation in CGL. 5. With respect to spatial summation, the results indicate a transformation of the retinal input of the off-center-neurones at the geniculate level, whereas the oncenter-neurones are nearly unchanged.

Notizen: Summary Daily doses of 1–10 mg Benperidol were given perorally to cats during 26 months. The general behaviour and the EEG were unchanged during the treatment, in particular no signs of dyskinesia were observed. After discontinuation of the administration, the behaviour and the EEG of the animals stayed normal. Thus no lasting and irreversible side effects could be observed.

Notizen: Summary The effect of LSD 25 (i. v. injection) on the spontaneous and evoked activity of the visual system was investigated in cats. 50 γ/kg did not change significantly the ERG and the visual cortical evoked potential. The spontaneous discharge rate of 14 out of 21 retinal ganglion cells showed an increase which reached its maximum within 20–30 min and which could still be present 1 hour following the injection. One third of the retinal units showed a slight depression of their spontaneous dischaRge rate with about the same time course. Single units of the LGN showed about the same behaviour. The response to light stimulation was slightly increased in some units and light induced inhibition was slightly shortened. The possible mechanism of the LSD-effect on retinal ganglion cell activity is discussed.

Notizen: Summary Single cell activity was recorded extracellularly from neurones in cat's abducens nuclei in unanesthetized, decerebrate preparations. Two types of neurones were found. i) The motoneurones (type IIA) increased their firing linearly or exponentially to contralateral constant angular accelerations and decreased firing to ipsilateral rotation. The increased frequency was maintained at a constant level without any sign of adaptation. This constant level of maximum frequency was proportional to the logarithm of the acceleration applied. No significant differences of the frequency responses of tonic and silent motoneurones were found. The conduction velocities of the axons of spontaneously firing type IIA cells were slower than in silent neurones. Electrical stimulation of the contralateral VIIIth nerve led to activation of the type IIA cells; stimulation of the ipsilateral nerve resulted in inhibition of both spontaneous discharge and antidromic invasion of the motoneurones. ii) The type IA units increased their firing rate to ipsilateral rotation and ceased to discharge in response to contralateral rotation. They never were excited antidromically by stimulation of the VIth nerve. However, they were excited by stimulation of the ipsilateral VIIIth nerve. Their possible functional role in the vestibulo-ocular system was discussed.

Notizen: Summary It was shown in 11 decerebrated cats, that cooling of a small and well defined area on the ventral surface of the medulla will cause respiratory arrest if the contralateral area of the medulla, the vagi and sinus nerves are eliminated. This confirms earlier observations obtained in anesthetized cats. Apnea was also produced by local superfusion of 2% procain with simultaneous flushing of the immediate surrounding area with mock spinal fluid. Local application of a small sponge soaked with 1% procain had the same effect. Electrical stimulation of femoral nerves or posterior roots which results in hyperventilation on the decerebrated cat failed to show any effect during periods of cold blockade. There was no respiratory response to direct stimulation of the hypothalamus in an anesthetized cat during cooling. Electrical stimulation of one sinus nerve caused an increase of ventilation. Sinus nerve stimulation during apnea induced by cold blockade resulted in rhythmical respiration. It is concluded from these experiments: Blocking of the area under discussion on the ventral surface of the medulla, inhibits all structures responsible for the central CO2-sensitivity in the deafferentiated animal. There was no response to non-specific stimuli of the respiratory center after elimination of central and peripheral chemosensitivity. The respiratory centers apparently depend on specific stimuli to support rhythmical respiration.

Notizen: Summary 1. Affective behaviour patterns produced by electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus were studied in unanaesthetized, freely-moving cats. Bipolar stimulation with coaxial electrodes and small cathode was used to elicit defence, attack or flight. The development of these responses was studied by varying stimulation strength. In some experiments a stuffed animal was introduced in order to study the reactions of the cat to changes in the environment during stimulation. 2. The following responses were evoked at threshold intensity: (i) growling reaction; (ii) hissing reaction; (iii) two types of flight — type a preceded by hastily looking to and fro as if in search of an exit, type b preceded by inspection of surroundings, in most cases associated with sniffing. 3. Increasing stimulation 1.5 times threshold often yielded combined patterns. At points yielding the growling reaction a defence response in which growls alternated with hisses was obtained. The points yielding flight type a sometimes yielded hissing followed by flight. Increasing stimulation at hissing points yielded either a defence reaction or the combined effect hissing-flight. 4. The growling reactions were obtained from the tuber region. The hissing responses were obtained from points above the tuber. The flight reactions, type a, were produced from the intermediate zone extending from the level of the preoptic area to the mamillary bodies and type b from the caudo-lateral hypothalamus. 5. The reactions of the cats to a dummy during stimulation varied depending on the type of response which had been evoked in the absence of the dummy. The defence reaction was converted into threatening and striking of the dummy, the combined effects into threatening, striking or biting, culminating in sudden flight. The dummy was ignored during stimulation of points yielding flight type a, but examined by sniffing during stimulation of points yielding flight type b.

Notizen: Summary The kinetics of the uptake of chloride by slices of cat cerebral cortex incubated in vitro have been studied for a wide range of concentrations of chloride and potassium in the incubation media. 1. In studies with 36Cl at a constant concentration of external K+, the rate of entry of chloride into slices of cat cerebral cortex (after equilibration with the fluid of the extracellular space) followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Vmax=7.7 μmoles/g/min and Km=245 mM. The kinetic data so described differ significantly from a curve describing simple diffusion (P 〈 0.02). 2. A clear dependence on concentration of K+ in the incubation medium was demonstrated. When external chloride was held constant at 6.8 mM and concentrations of potassium were varied over a range of 27–100 mM, the apparent rate of entry of chloride followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Vmax=0.191 μmoles/ g/min and Km=30.3 mM. 3. Under similar equilibrium conditions, the rate of influx of chloride was not statistically different from the rate of efflux, and the value for extracellular space (355 μl/g) derived by extrapolation from efflux data was of an identical order of magnitude to the value (352 μl/g) obtained from influx data. These values are essentially identical to those previously determined for chloride space of cat cerebral cortex in vivo (Bourke, Greenberg and Tower 1965). 4. The total, membrane-delimited content of chloride in cerebral cortex, as defined in these studies in vitro, was a function of the concentration of K+ in the incubation medium.

Notizen: Summary The ionic parameters of incubation media which foster both the development and subsequent reduction of swelling of slices of cerebral cortex under isosmotic conditions of incubation in vitro are described. A linear relationship between increasing chloride concentrations in incubation media and progressive swelling of tissue slices (under conditions of constant temperature and K+ concentrations and isotonicity of incubation media) is demonstrated. Subsequent reduction of chloride concentration in incubation media together with reciprocal replacement by isethionate is associated with significant and characteristic reduction in the volume of tissue swelling when all other conditions of incubation, including isotonicity of the media, are kept constant. The ionic composition of the fluid of swelling under different conditions of incubation is derived together with the ionic composition and expected transmembrane potentials of the neuronal compartment of cerebral cortex in vitro. Mechanisms involved in the development and subsequent reduction of swelling of cerebral cortex in vitro are discussed, and proposals for possible clinical applications are suggested.

Notizen: Summary The efficacy of several esters and ethers of Helveticosid and Helveticosol was assayed by intravenous and intraduodenal administration to cats and guinea-pigs. 1. In guinea-pigs, Helveticosol and its derivatives were approximately twice as active on intravenous infusion as the analogous derivatives of Helveticosid; in cats there was no significant difference. The monomethylethers Cymarin and Cymarol were equally or slightly more potent, all other derivatives were weaker than the original compound. 2. In guinea-pigs the lethal doses of some compounds on intraduodenal injection were equal to or even lower than those on intravenous infusion. This may partly be accounted for by a reduction of Helveticosid and its derivatives to the more potent Helveticosol analogues, partly by a hydrolysis of the esters, yielding compounds of higher activity. 3. On intraduodenal infusion in cats, all the investigated esters and ethers were more active than Helveticosid and Helveticosol. The relative enteral activity calculated from the ratio of the toxic doses on intravenous and intraduodenal infusion varied between 20 and 50%. 4. Due to a delayed absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, the toxic dose falls with a reduced speed of intraduodenal infusion. Assuming an exponential and complete absorption, the half time of absorption was calculated. For some of the compounds investigated, the speed of absorption was comparable to that of Digoxin and Digitoxin. The difference between the relative enteral activities determined by comparing equiactive doses on enteral and parenteral administration and the percentages of the glycosides which are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is pointed out. The latter is of prime importance for obtaining reproducible effects after enteral administration.

Notizen: Summary The bulbourethral glands of sexually mature male cats are studied with the light and electron microscope. The parenchyma consists of spacious, sinus-like intraglandular ducts and short, narrow, mostly unbranched tubular endpieces. The gland has no complete connective tissue capsule, consequently some of the peripheral tubules are situated directly in between the fibers of the surrounding bulboglandularis muscle. The endpieces and the sinus of the intraglandular ducts are lined by a simple columnar epithelium, whereas the folds of the ducts are generally covered by a low pseudostratified epithelium. The secretory surface of the cells is increased by intercellular canaliculi which communicate with the gland lumen. These canaliculi are identified on the light microscopic level by their strong 5′-nucleotidase activity. Furthermore widened intercellular spaces (approximately 1,5 μ in diameter) filled with slender, interdigitating cytoplasmic processes extend from the basal lamina to the apical junctional complexes. The luminal cell pole exhibits some short microvilli and forms irregularly shaped, glycogen containing protrusions. Within the cytoplasm of the gland cells numerous spherical mitochondria, some dense bodies, a typical Golgi apparatus, free ribosomes and a poorly developed endoplasmic reticulum are to be observed. Secretory granules which can be grouped into three types on the basis of their electron density occur in the supranuclear regions of most of the cells. According to histochemical tests all granules contain a periodate reactive sialomucin and some of them also sulfate groups. The glandular parenchyma is site of an exceptionally strong unspecific esterase activity and is rich in β-D-glucuronidase, β-D-glactosidase, aldolase, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxydase.

Notizen: Summary Following selective activation of four afferent paths that terminate exclusively on dendrites, only a small proportion of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal fields CA1 and CA3 discharged impulses. Following a single afferent volley, an EPSP was never observed even in cells synaptically excited. On tetanic stimulation (about 10/sec), a large EPSP developed, but this was not a prerequisite for an action potential. Studies of the extracellular field potentials corresponding to the EPSP and the population spike potential, indicated that the EPSP was generated across the dendritic membrane and that the spike was initiated in the neighbouring part of the dendritic tree, propagating from there along the thicker dendrites towards the soma. This conduction had an average velocity of 0.4m/sec, and, presumably, a relatively low safety factor. In certain cases, the intrasomatic electrode recorded small all-or-nothing spikes which presumably were generated in the dendritic tree. These small spikes (D-spikes) invaded the soma only if assisted by some additional depolarization, for example by frequency potentiation of excitatory synapses. The results indicate two functional types of pyramidal dendrites, the conducting and the synaptic type.

Notizen: Summary 1. Extracellular microelectrode recording has been employed to study the responses of three types of interneurones in the cat cerebellar cortex: basket cells, superficial stellate cells and Golgi cells. The large unitary spike potentials of single cells were sharply localized and presumably were generated by impulse discharges from the cell somata. The characteristics of their responses described below sharply distinguished them from Purkinje cells. 2. The parallel fibre volleys generated by surface stimulation of a folium evoked brief repetitive discharges that were graded in respect of frequency and number. Maximum responses had as many as 10 impulses at an initial frequency of 500/sec. 3. At brief test intervals there was facilitation of the response to a second parallel fibre volley; at about 50 msec it passed over to depression for over 500 msec. 4. Stimulation deep in the cerebellum in the region of the fastigial nucleus (juxta-fastigial, J.F.) evoked by synaptic action a single or double discharge, presumably by the mossy fibre-granule cell-parallel fibre path, but climbing fibre stimulation from the inferior olive also usually had a weak excitatory action evoking never more than one impulse. 5. J.F. stimulation also had an inhibitory action on the repetitive discharge evoked by a parallel fibre volley. Possibly this is due to the inhibitory action of impulses in Purkinje cell axon collaterals. 6. There was a slow (7–30/sec) and rather irregular background discharge from all interneurones. The inhibitory actions of parallel fibre and J.F. stimulation silenced this discharge for some hundreds of milliseconds, probably by Golgi cell inhibition of a background mossy fibre input into granule cells. 7. All these various features were displayed by cells at depths from 180 to 500 μ; hence it was concluded that superficial stellate, basket and Golgi cells have similar properties, discrimination being possible only by depth, the respective depth ranges being superficial to 250μ, 250μ to 400μ, and deeper than 400μ.

Notizen: Summary 1. When electrical stimuli were applied to the surface of a cerebellar folium by a local electrode (LOC), there was a propagated potential wave along the folium with a triphasic (positive-negative-positive) configuration. 2. Investigations by microelectrode recording established that this wave is produced by impulses propagating for at least 3 mm and at about 0.3 m/sec along a narrow superficial band or “beam” of parallel fibres. As expected from this interpretation, there was an absolutely refractory period of less than 1 msec and impulse annihilation by collision. 3. Complications occurred from the potential wave forms resulting from the excitation of mossy fibres by spreading of the applied LOC stimulus. These complications have been eliminated by chronically deafferenting the cerebellum. 4. When recording within the beam of excited parallel fibres there was a slow negative wave of about 20 msec duration, and deep and lateral thereto, there was a slow positive wave of approximately the same time course. 5. These potential fields were expressed in serial profile plots and in potential contour diagrams and shown to be explicable by the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic action on Purkinje cells: excitatory depolarizing synapses of parallel fibre impulses on the dendrites; and hyperpolarizing inhibitory synapses of stellate and basket cells respectively on the dendrites and somata. The active excitatory synapses would be strictly on the parallel fibre beam and the inhibitory concentrated deep and lateral thereto, which is in conformity with the axonal distributions of those basket and stellate cells that would be excited by the parallel fibre beam. 6. Complex problems were involved in interpretation of slow potentials produced by a second LOC stimulus at brief stimulus intervals and up to 50 msec: there was a potentiation of the slow negative wave, and often depression of the positive wave deep and lateral to the excited beam of parallel fibres. 7. Often the LOC stimulus evoked impulse discharge from the Purkinje cells, these discharges being inhibited by a preceding LOC stimulus.

Notizen: Summary Spontaneous post-synaptic potentials (PSP's) of neurones of the motor cortex are analysed (intracellular recording, Nembutal anesthesia, cats). Distinct EPSP's either appear grouped or more sporadically distributed. Spontaneous EPSP's only represent about 3–10% of all spontaneous PSP's. The mean amplitude of EPSP's is about 0.7 mV. The smallest EPSP's have an amplitude of 150–200 μV, smaller slow fluctuations of the membrane potential (MP) are seen occasionally. Amplitude histograms of spontaneous EPSP's are similar to those of evoked EPSP units following weak thalamic stimulation. — The rising time of spontaneous EPSP's varies between 2 and 15 msec. and is not correlated with the peak amplitude. The decay is almost exponential, the time constant is between 8 and 12msec., thus being slightly higher than the neurone time constant of cortical pyramidal cells (8.5±2.2 msec. Creutzfeldt et al., 1964b). No consistant differences in time course and amplitude of “EPSP units” after VL and CM thalamic stimulation and of spontaneous EPSP's was found. Cortical and thalamic components of post-tetanic depression of spontaneous and evoked PSP activity cannot be distinguished. Interval histograms are different whether all EPSP's during sporadic and grouped activity or whether only sporadically appearing EPSP's are counted. Non-grouped EPSP's show longer mean intervals (between 70 and 80 msec.). — During reversible deafferentation with K+-depolarization of afferent fibers and in the chronically isolated cortex no spontaneous EPSP's or IPSP's are found eventhough membrane fluctuations of cells in the latter preparation may sometimes be difficult to distinguish from real EPSP's. In the chronically isolated cortex, EPSP's and IPSP's can still be elicited by epicortical stimulation. — From these findings it is concluded that the observed spontaneous PSP's represent “unit” EPSP's and IPSP's due to afferent and collateral fiber activity and that no true miniature potentials due to spontaneous liberation of transmitter substance can be recorded. Thus, the “synaptic noise” of cortical neurones represents convergent activity on these cells and consequently cannot be considered as true “spontaneous noise”.