On the physiological significance of the amplitude of the endosomatic galvanic skin reaction (GSR) in the cat.

Abstract

AbstractEndosomatic galvanic skin reactions (GSR) evoked by electrical stimulation of the distal stump of a sectioned sciatic nerve have been recorded with metal macroelectrodes.It has been established that the amplitude of the negative phase of the endosomatic GSR is determined by (i) the stimulation parameters, (ii) the location of the recording electrodes, and (iii) the neuro‐sudomotoric activity before the stimulation.In addition, the GSR is influenced by both (iv) spatial summation and (v) temporal summation or cumulation, and may be influenced (vi) by the area of contact between the electrodes and the skin.On the basis of earlier and new observations in the recording of GSR's the conclusion has been drawn that the negative phase of the endosomatic GSR recorded with a macroelectrode is a composite potential which is produced in a circuit of resistive elements and unit potential generators (UPG), a group of effector cells that are probably situated in the wall of the sweat channel.The UPG's, each of which produce a unit potential (UP), seem to be coupled in parallel to each other and in series with the surface electrode.