Effect of precursors and cofactors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis on responses of cortical neurons to polarization.

Abstract

1. Administration of K orotate and folic acid in different proportions and of vitamin B12 to rats leads to changes in protein synthesis in the sensomotor cortex, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. The degree and direction of changes in protein synthesis depend on the relative proportions of the substances administered to the animals. 2. During surface anodal polarization and after its discontinuation the mean discharge frequency of sensomotor cortical neurons in the groups of experimental rats in which protein synthesis in the brain was found to be activated was higher than in control animals and in the group of experimental animals in which protein synthesis was not activated. 3. Activation of protein synthesis in the brain is accompanied by a decrease in the relative number of neurons responding to polarization by inhibition of spike activity. 4. Changes in the responses of cortical neurons to surface anodal polarization are probably due to changes in the chemoreactive properties of their membranes under the influence of activation of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in these neurons.