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Synaptic processes in pericruciate cortical neurons evoked by pyramidal tract stimulation in cats

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Abstract

In cats anesthetized with chloralose and pentobarbital and immobilized with D-tubocurarine activity of 423 pericruciate cortical neurons was recorded (342 extra-and 81 intracellularly); 78 neurons had spontaneous activity. Stimulation of the pyramidal tract evoked antidromic action potentials in the pyramidal neurons with a latent period of 0.5–16.0 msec. Recurrent and lateral PSPs also developed both in pyramidal and in unidentified neurons in all layers of the cortex; IPSPs were recorded in 46.7% of neurons, EPSPs in 21.0%, mixed reponses in 26.0%, and no visible changes were found in 6.3%. The latent period of the IPSPs was 1.5–14.0 msec, their amplitude 1.3–37.0 mV, their rise time from 4 to 18 msec, and their duration 18–120 msec (sometimes up to 250–500 msec). In 30% of cases in which IPSPs appeared, their course was divided into two phases: fast (duration 10–20 msec) and slow. EPSPs developed after a latent period of 2.6–29.0 msec; their amplitude was 1.0–7.8 mV and their duration from 30.0 to 50.0 msec. In 51.2%of spontaneously active neurons the antidromic volley inhibited their activity in the course of 200–400 msec, in 19.5% it stimulated their activity, in 7.4% it had a mixed effect, and in 21.9% no visible change took place in their activity. The role and participation of axon collaterals of pyramidal neurons and of the interneuronal system in the formation of these processes are discussed.

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Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 346–355, July–August, 1975.

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Zadorozhnyi, A.G., Vasechko, T.V. Synaptic processes in pericruciate cortical neurons evoked by pyramidal tract stimulation in cats. Neurosci Behav Physiol 7, 82–88 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01148755

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