Summary
Marked alterations in the wave forms of the visual evoked potential were found during repeated observations in 7 unrestrained cats. These changes were usually, but not always, associated with behavioral and electroencephalographic correlates of sleep and wakefulness.
The different evoked potentials could be characterized as belonging to one of 8 possible wave forms. All wave forms were obtained from each cat although the frequency of occurrence of different wave forms varied between cats.
During alert behavior the most common wave form consisted of two rapid, diphasic peaks, starting at about 20 msec with a positive wave following the flash. A more rhythmic wave form of six diphasic peaks was also common during the alert state.
With increasing behavioral drowsiness and sleep spindles the wave form usually showed an increase in amplitude of negative waves.
At times a wave form was present in which the early waves were missing. This wave form consisted only of two late, low-amplitude, diphasic waves and was always associated with a desynchronized EEG. Usually the animal was in activated sleep (r.e.m.-sleep) when this form of the evoked potential was observed.
The observed variations in the form of the evoked potential may result from peripheral delays and activation of different pathways to different cortical neuron groups. Alternatively, the wave forms may be produced by alterations in latency of the second of two oscillating pathways to the cortex.
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Presented in part to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in Atlantic City, New Jersey, April, 1966.
Supported by research grant MH 07278 from the National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Public Health Service.
Special Fellow 2F11 NB 1210, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness. Present address: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Norton, S., Jewett, R.E. An analysis of visual evoked potential wave forms in unrestrained cats. Pflugers Arch. 294, 17–27 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417048