Conclusions
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1.
In experiments on conscious, loosely restrained rabbits, using a subcutaneously administered undecapeptide, substance P, in doses of 250 μg/kg, behavior and neuron activity was studied in the visual and sensorimotor areas of the neocortex and in the hippocampus during elicitation of the defense reflex conditioned to light flashes and conditioned inhibition.
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2.
Introduction of sP evoked a short-term loss of motor reactions to the reinforcing stimulus; a lowering in probability of movements to reinforced and inhibitory light flashes; and a prolonged quickening of heartrate and slowing of breathing rate.
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3.
The background action of sP, among the majority of investigated neurons responding to stimulus presentations, resulted in a fall in background activity and a weakening of excitatory and strengthening of inhibitory response components, especially to the painful reinforcing stimulus. Some neurons showed an increase in excitatory reactions.
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4.
Bioelectric indicators reflecting a strengthening of inhibitory hyperpolarization processes during internal inhibition were unaffected: inhibitory background pauses and evoked activity in cerebral cortex neurons, together with corresponding slow potential fluctuations, were unchanged by sP.
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Translated from Zhurnal Vysshei Deyatel'nosti imeni I. P. Pavlova, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 273–282, March–April, 1984.
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Shul'gina, G.I., Levshina, I.P., Melekhova, A.M. et al. Effect of substance P on behavior and cortical neuron activity during learning in rabbits. Neurosci Behav Physiol 16, 111–118 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01186508
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01186508