Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Power spectrum analysis of EEG synchronization following application of serotonin to area postrema

  • Published:
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The role of serotonin and of the area postrema in synchronization of the neocortical electroencephalogram (EEG) was investigated in the present studies by observing the effects of different drugs (serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and Xylocaine) applied topically at the site of the area postrema in cats. Using Fast Fourier Spectral analysis and power density spectra techniques it was found that serotonin increased the low frequency components and decreased the high frequency components in the cortical EEG. Application of serotonin to the floor of the fourth ventrical 6 mm rostral to the area postrema never produced EEG synchronizing effects. Xylocaine applied directly to the area postrema, as well as lesions of this region, decreased the low frequency components of the EEG while norepinephrine and acetylcholine produced variable effects. These results indicate that a serotonergic-sensitive mechanism, which induces EEG synchronization, exists in the region of the area postrema.

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

References

  • Blackman, R. B., and Tukey, J. W. The measurement of ower spectra. Dover, New York.

  • Bonvallet, M., andBloch, V. Bulbar control of cortical arousal.Science 1961,133, 1133–1134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonvallet, M., andAllen, Jr., M. B. Prolonged spontaneous and evoked reticular activation following discrete bulbar lesions.Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 1963,15, 969–988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, P. B. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on the electrical activity of the brain and on behavior in the conscious cat In G. P. Lewis (Ed.),5-Hydroxytryptamine. London: Pergamon, 1958. Pp. 214–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronzino, J. D. Verification of neural pathway between the reticular formation and the nucleus tractus solitarius.Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering. 1969,11, 4.3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronzino, J. D. Effect of serotonin and Xylocaine upon evoked responses established in neural feedback circuits associated with sleep-waking process.Biological Psychiatry 1970,3, 217–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronzino, J. D., Morgane, P. J., andStern, W.. EEG Synchronization following application of serotonin to area postrema.American Journal of Physiology, 1972,223, 376–383.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cooley, J. W., andTukey, J. W. An algorithm for the machine calculation of complex Fourier series.Mathematics of Computation 1965,19, 297–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooley, J. W., Lewis, P. A. W., andWelch, P. D. The Finite Fourier Transform.IEEE Transactions on Audio and Electroacoustics 1969,AU-17, 77–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hord, D. J., Johnson, L. C., Lubin, A., andAustin, M. T. Resolution and stability in the autospectra of EEG.Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 1965,19, 305–308.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koella, W. P., andCzicman, J. S. Influence of serotonin upon optic evoked potentials, EEG, and blood pressure of cat.American Journal of Physiology 1963,204, 873–878.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koella, W. P., andCzicman, J. S. Mechanism of the EEG synchronizing action of serotonin.American Journal of Physiology 1966,211, 926–934.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magnes, J., Moruzzi, G., andPompeiano, O. Synchronization of the EEG produced by low-frequency electrical stimulation of the region of the solitary tract.Archives Italiennes de Biologie 1961,99, 33–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, G. I., Walton, P. L., andYamamoto, W. S. Area postrema: Abrupt EEG synchronization following close intraarterial perfusion with serotonin.Brain Research 1970,23, 223–233.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothballer, A. B. The effect of phenylephrine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and serotonin upon the adrenaline sensitive component of the reticular activating system.Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 1957,9, 409–417.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schallek, W., Lewinson, T., andThomas, J. Power Spectrum analysis of drug effects on electroen-cephalogram of cat.International Journal of Neuropharmacology 1967,6, 253–264.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Theilheimer, F. A matrix version of the Fast Fourier transform.IEEE Transactions on Audio and Electroacoustics 1969,AU-17, 158–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Joseph D. Bronzino

    Present address: Also of Department of Engineering, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut

  2. J. Brusseau

    Present address: Also of Western New England College, Springfield, Massachusetts

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Worcester, USA

    Joseph D. Bronzino, J. Brusseau, P. J. Morgane & W. C. Stern

Authors
  1. Joseph D. Bronzino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Brusseau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. J. Morgane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. C. Stern
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This research was supported by N.I.M.H. Grants 0221 and 10625.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bronzino, J.D., Brusseau, J., Morgane, P.J. et al. Power spectrum analysis of EEG synchronization following application of serotonin to area postrema. Ann Biomed Eng 1, 246–253 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02584210

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02584210

Keywords

Search

Navigation