Frequency potentiation of neuronal synaptic reactions in the medial tegmentum of the medulla oblongata to microstimulation of the inhibitory point of the pons Varolii

Abstract

Synaptic responses of medial medullary neurons to single (2 pps) and repetitive (30-50 pps) stimuli delivered to the pontine inhibitory point were recorded in decerebrated cats. Firing index, inhibitory to the less extent, excitatory postsynaptic potentials usually increased when repetitive stimulation was applied. Suppression of the background impulse activity was observed in some neurons. Frequency potentiation makes a substantial contribution to functional effect of stimulation of the inhibitory point (termination of elicited locomotion).