[Impulse activity of neurons of the visual and somatosensory regions of the cerebral cortex at different stages of goal-directed behavior]

Abstract

Impulse activity of neurones of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas was studied in free moving cats during performance of conditioned instrumental food-procuring reactions to the presentation of light or sound. It was established that the units of these cortical areas may participate in both all or individual stages of complex instrumental behaviour. The visual cortex neurones are more extensively involved in the formation of successive stages of the goal-directed behavioral act. Significant differences were revealed in the unit responses of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas at the moment of the switching on of the conditioned signal, at the period of "reinforcement anticipation", at the moment of appearance of milk, the reinforcing agent, and during reinforcement, when the milk was lapped by the animal.