[The role of several brain stem structures in activation of the neocortex and motor reflexes in chronically premesencephalic cats]

Abstract

Chronic experiments were carried out in 18 cats. After premesencephalic section of the brain-stem, the neocortex can be activated both spontaneously and in response to the posterior hypothalamus or the forepaw skin stimulation. After bilateral lesions in the posterior hypothalamus, neither spontaneous nor the forepaw-skin stimulation-produced activation of the neocortex, was observed. Excitation of the mesencephalic RF is accompanied by activation of motor reflexes. A conclusion was made that the posterior hypothalamus, independently of the mesencephalic RF, is capable of activating the neocortex, while the mesencephalic RF, independently of the rostral structures, is responsible for the motor reflex activation.