Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Response of rabbit visual cortex neurons to direct stimulation by current of different intensities

  • Published:
Neurophysiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Response was investigated in 47 rabbit visual cortex neurons to direct intracortical electrical stimulation consisting of single biphasic pulses of increasing intensities within the 150–2,700 µA range. Minimum level for generating all components of response to electrical stimulation remained similar from one neuron to the next, ranging between 150 and 600 µA. Three different patterns of dependence between numbers of spikes at different stages of response and current amplitude were identified: stable, gradual and selective patterns. Percentages of stable dependences were lower for after-discharges in comparison with initial firing (at 11 and 26% respectively) and the proportion of selective dependences were somewhat higher (at 32 and 21%). The selective dependence observed could imply the existence of optimum current levels at which peak neuronal response occurs. At the same time, duration of inhibitory pauses lengthened uniformly in the response of all test neurons during increasing intensity of the electrical stimuli. Findings obtained during this study may have a practical application in matters connected with visual prosthetics in the blind.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  1. Z. M. Gvozdikova and Zh. P. Shuranova, "Dependence of cortical neuronal response on intensity of direct cortical stimulation," Fiziol. Zh. SSSR,59, No. 11, 1663–1670 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. B. Kogan, E. B. Kompaneets, V. V. Petrovskii, et al., Neurophysiology and Problems of Restoring Sight [in Russian], Rostov-on-Don University Press (1983), pp. 58–63.

  3. E. B. Kompaneets, V. V. Petrovskii, Y. G. Serikov, et al., "Equipment for Direct Introduction of Information into the Brain for the Purposes of Prosthetics," in: Problems of Neurocybernetics. Neurophysiological Aspects [in Russian], Rostov-on-Don University Press (1978), pp. 50–57.

  4. A. V. Latanov, Neuronal Response in the Rabbit Visual Cortex to Photic and Electrocortical Stimuli of Changing Intensity [Author's M.Sc. dissertation], Moscow University Press (1987).

  5. B. V. Polyanskii, "Distribution of evoked potentials in the rabbit cerebral cortex under the effects of photic stimuli of different brilliance," Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat.,13, No. 2, 301–308 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  6. B. V. Polyanskii, A. V. Latanov, and G. L. Ruderman, "Pattern of neuronal response to intracortical electrical stimulation in the rabbit visual cortex," Neirofiziologiya,15, No. 4, 412–419 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  7. B. V. Polyanskii and F. Laugalis, "Dependence of pattern of neuronal response in the rabbit visual cortex on intensity of electrical stimulation," Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat.,33, No. 6, 1159–1162 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  8. F. N. Serkov, "Origin and synaptic mechanisms of inhibition in cortical neurons," Fiziol. Zh. SSSR.,31, No. 5, 513–525 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  9. L. A. Benevento, O. D. Creutzfeldt, and H. Kuhnt, "Significance of intracortical inhibition in the visual cortex," Nature,238, No. 82, 124–126 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  10. W. U. Dobelle, M. G. Mladejovsky, J. R. Evans, et al., "Braille reading a blind volunteer by visual cortex stimulation," Schhechadigtesic,11, 63–68 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  11. D. H. Hubel and T. N. Wiesel, "Functional architecture of macaque visual cortex," Proc. R. Soc., London,198, No. 130, 1–24 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  12. D. A. Pollen, "Responses of single neurons to electrical stimulation of the surface of visual cortex," Brain Behav. Evol.,14, No. 1/2, 67–86 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  13. V. B. Polyansky, E. N. Sokolov, E. V. Polkoshnikov, et al., "Single unit reactions in the visual cortex of the unanesthetized rabbit to light flashes of different intensities," Vision Res.,13, No. 4, 809–827 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  14. S. F. Ronner, "Prosthesis-related studies of visual cortex neurons," Appl. Neurophysiol.,45, No. 1/2, 18–24 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. F. Ronner, W. E. Foote, and D. A. Pollen, "Intracortical microstimulation of neurons in the visual cortex of the cat," Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol.,52, No. 4, 375–377 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. A. V. Latanov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. B. Polyanskii
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

M. V. Lomonosov State University, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 239–247, March–April, 1989.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Latanov, A.V., Polyanskii, V.B. Response of rabbit visual cortex neurons to direct stimulation by current of different intensities. Neurophysiology 21, 182–188 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056979

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056979

Keywords

Search

Navigation