[Neuronal activities of the visual field of the cerebral cortex modulated by reserpine-induced PGO waves]

Abstract

The modulatory influence of reserpine-induced PGO wave upon the spontaneous activity of visual cortical neurons was examined in acutely prepared cats. Unitary discharge of cortical neurons was recorded extracellularly with glass micropipettes. Of twenty three neurons three showed a vigorous discharge synchronously with a certain phase of PGO wave. One neuron was strongly suppressed by the occurrence of PGO wave. Three neurons showed an increase and one neuron showed a decrease, respectively, in discharge in a loose correlation with PGO wave. This study has demonstrated the presence of a unique group of neurons which show a burst discharge or a complete silence in a precisely phase-lock manner when reserpine-induced PGO wave occurred.