Functional relationships of the cerebral cortex with subcortical structures in emotionally stressful conditions

Abstract

Multidirectional and stable changes in phase shifts and cross-correlation coefficients of the cortical and subcortical stress rhythms occur under conditions of repeated irregular photostimulation, especially in the initial periods. Thus, cross-correlation functional connections, characterized by changes in the spatio-temporal relationships of the brain structures (posterior nuclei of the hypothalamus, reticular formation, and visual projection zones of the cerebral cortex), can be one of the indicators of the formation of stress. By using the parameters mentioned above, we can solve many issues related to the central mechanisms of stress. Our results show that functional connections between the cortical projection area and subcortical structures decrease under stress conditions, while connections between subcortical structures increase. We furthermore found that these EEG changes correlated with autonomic reactions in animals. Thus, these changes may lie based on central mechanisms of stress, and the results of changes in the EEG activity of the cerebral cortex and the cross-correlation parameters in the posterior nuclei of the hypothalamus and the reticular formation may allow preventive measures to be taken to affect these structures to reduce emotional stress.