Irregular Discharge Research Articles

Low‐threshold mechanoreceptive and nociceptive units with unmyelinated (C) fibres in the human supraorbital nerve.

1. In recordings from the human supraorbital nerve with tungsten microelectrodes, eleven afferent units with unmyelinated (C) axons were identified on the basis of their conduction velocities (0.6-1.4 m/s). 2. Eight units had low mechanical thresholds (less than or equal to 0.23 g) and could be activated up to their maximal firing rates of about 100 impulses/s by weak tactile stimuli, whereas three units had higher thresholds (5.5 g) and responded vigorously to noxious stimuli only. 3. During a skin indentation the low-threshold units adapted to an irregular low-frequency discharge, and release of the stimulus elicited a prominent off-response often ending with an after-discharge. Slow stroking was a particularly effective stimulus, even when done with cotton wool, whereas rapid stroking reduced the response. All types of stroking stimuli were occasionally followed by after-discharges. Repeated mechanical stimulation at short intervals resulted in a decline of the response, indicating receptor fatigue. For two units a response to skin cooling was observed. 4. The above low-threshold C units have all the main characteristics of the C mechanoreceptors known from the cat and primates but not previously proven to exist in man. The high-threshold C units are similar to the polymodal nociceptors found in other human skin areas.

Local circuitry in the IMHV of the domestic chick ( Gallus domesticus )

The responses to local stimulation have been recorded from neurons in the intermediate part of the medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) of the domestic chick, by using an in vitro slice preparation. When the slice is bathed in gassed Krebs' solution, a single stimulus evokes a short-lasting diphasic response. The first phase is negative and lasts some 3 ms, whereas the second, positive phase is often of lower amplitude and usually persists for about 15 ms. The first phase is little altered by perfusion with either Ca2(+)-free Krebs' solution or Krebs' solution containing a high concentration of Mg2+. In contrast, the second phase is abolished by these procedures. The post-synaptic phase is positive when it is recorded anywhere between 0.1-1.25 mm from the stimulated point; however, in the immediate vicinity (0.0-0.1 mm) of the stimulating electrodes, the post-synaptic response is strongly negative. A pair of stimuli has to be separated by at least 10 s to guarantee complete recovery of excitability of the post-synaptic response. The recovery curve for this response shows a refractory period of some 5 ms, a peak of excitability at an interval of about 20 ms, and then a sharp trough of relative inexcitability at about 200 ms. The post-synaptic response is considerably reduced in magnitude and duration by the addition of AP-5 to the perfusion fluid; the remaining post-synaptic response is completely abolished by kynurenic acid. The addition of bicuculline methiodide in concentrations of at least 1 x 10(-6) M increases both the magnitude and duration of the second, positive phase of the response to single stimuli. This extended positive response (which may last from 500-800 ms) is abolished by perfusion with bicuculline dissolved in Ca2(+)-free Krebs' solution. For the entire duration of the extended post-synaptic positive response produced by bicuculline, the irregular discharge of single neurons can be recorded. Like the post-synaptic positive response in Krebs' solution, the much larger response produced by bicuculline shows a very localized negativity beneath the stimulating electrodes and displays an almost identical time-course for the recovery of excitability following a single stimulus. The bicuculline induced positive response is also considerably reduced by the presence of AP-5; the addition of kynurenic acid abolishes the remaining post-synaptic response completely. A post-synaptic response, similar to that produced under bicuculline, can be produced by the addition of a maximally effective dose of d-tubocurarine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

PATHOPHYSIOLGY OF THALAMIC PAIN

We performed stereotactic VIM (ventralis intermedius), VIM-CL (centralis lateralis) or VIM-Vcpc (ventralis caudalis parvo-cellularis) thalamotomy in 19 patients with thalamic pain. The electrophysiological characteristics of the thalamus in patients with thalamic pain were analyzed. Patients were classified into non-thalamic and thalamic lesion groups on CT scan. Of 19 patients 13 were men (46-76 years) and 6 women (43-69 years); 11 showed cerebral infarct and 8 hemorrhage. Abnormal sensations including pain developed 1 month to 6 years (mean 11 months) after stroke. The clinical features of thalamic pain were referred to as “superficial pain” and “deep pain”. In the non-thalamic lesion group, we could usually recognize more deep than superficial pain, while, in the thalamic lesion group, superficial pain was predominant. We analyzed thalamic electrical activities [unitary spike discharges and background neural activity (BNA)], and compared them with those of parkinsonian patients. Furthermore, sensory neurons identified mainly in the thalamic sensory nucleus were studied with regard to the modality of peripheral natural stimulation, the distribution of peripheral receptive fields and the location of response sites in the thalamus.Thalamic electrical activity was correlated with the state of thalamic lesions on CT scan and non-thalamic lesions, respectively. In the non-thalamic lesion group, thalamic BNA was relatively preserved in the ventral thalamus, but was not uniform in the VIM nucleus (compared with that of parkinsonian patients). Furthermore, the peripheral receptive field of sensory (kinesthetic) neurons was predominantly the face or mouth area, deviating from standard thalamic topography in the VIM nucleus. These findings suggest that functional change or reorganization in the thalamic sensory nucleus occurred in this group. In the thalamic lesion group, BNA decreased markedly in the ventral thalamus, particularly in the VC nucleus, and sensory (kinesthesic) neurons were rarely identified. Additionally, in about half the operated cases irregular burst discharges in and around the VIM nucleus were frequently observed. It was suggested that the different character of thalamic pain, both deep and superficial, is associated with that of local pathophysiology in the thalamic sensory nucleus.

Ureteral action potential and histological changes of the upper urinary tract receiving the formalin.

The present study investigates the ureteral action potential and histological changes of pelvi-ureteral system after injection of the formalin into the obstracted ureters or the renal pelvis. In the first experiment, formalin was injected into the obstructed ureters of 18 dogs for 30 minutes. In the second, formalin was injected into the obstracted renal pelvis of 13 dogs for 30 minutes using ureteral balloon catheters, and then renal pelvis were released from obstraction and catheters were removed. In these experiments, ureteral electromyogram were recorded and histological changes of pelvi-ureteral system were also observed microscopically. Results 1. After injection of formalin into the ureters, ureteral action potential disappeared and had not restored. Histologically, damage was observed in the ureteral smooth muscle as well as in the mucosa. 2. After injection of formalin into the renal pelvis, ureteral action potential disappeared in 46% of the ureters. In 54% of the ureters, action potential had not disappeared, however discharge interval became irregular. Histological changes of the renal pelvis was not related to the presence or absence of ureteral action potential. The results of the present study show that ureteral smooth muscle play part in the conduction of the ureteral excitation, and have an irregular autonomic discharge.

Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis in Women with Vaginal Bleeding Complications or Discharge and HarboringMobiluncus

A double-blind study of treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV), using metronidazole tablets 500 mg 3 times daily for 10 days versus placebo in the same regimen, was performed on 42 outpatients with irregular bleeding episodes or discharge attending a gynecological clinic. All patients had motile rods in wet smears in addition to fulfilling the criteria for BV. Treatment gave a cure rate of 76% versus 5% in the placebo group. Mobiluncus sp. was identified in 81% of these cases before treatment, in 8% of the cured patients and in 50% of those not initially cured at follow-up. Repeated treatments, once or twice, resulted in a 100% cure rate. A 6-month follow-up was carried out on 39 of the 42 patients. There were 7 relapses after 6 months giving a cure rate of 82%. After successful treatment all bleeding disturbances disappeared. We conclude that it is important to treat BV in patients with symptoms other than malodorous discharge.

Effects of systemic injection of neuroleptics on neuronal background activity in the cat ventrolateral thalamic nucleus

Background activity was recorded in 272 neurons of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus before and after systemic haloperidol and droperidol injection at a cataleptic dose using intracellular techniques during chronic experiments on cats in a drowsy condition. Brief burster discharges lasting 5–50 msec and following on at a high intraburst spike rate (of 200–450 Hz) were characteristic of neuronal activity in intact animals. Regular discharges occurred at the rate of 2–2.5 Hz or occasionally 3–4 Hz in 15% of cells. Numbers of neurons with the latter activity pattern rose to 22 and 30%, respectively, following haloperidol and droperidol injection. Both irregular and prolonged (80–300 msec) regular discharges were recorded in one third of the total. A relatively low intraburst spike rate (of 60–170 Hz) was observed in 37% of cells following 10 days' haloperidol injection. These changes are thought to be produced by intensified inhibitory effects on neurons of the thalamic ventrolateral nucleus from the substantia nigra and reticular thalamic nucleus following blockade of dopaminergic and α-adrenergic receptors.

Jitter in the muscle fibre.

Direct stimulation of muscle fibres with a regular 10 Hz rate, three computer generated random rhythms and a sequence of voluntary discharges was used to quantify the interdischarge interval (IDI) dependent jitter due to velocity recovery function (VRF). This jitter was found to depend on conduction time and strength of VRF, but not on propagation velocity. The results suggest that in the usual jitter study in voluntarily activated muscle fibre pairs, with moderately irregular discharge rate and interpotential intervals below 3 ms the IDI dependent jitter contributes on average less than 10 microseconds, but can be so large as to produce false abnormal values at more irregular rates, longer interpotential intervals and pronounced differences in VRF. It can be effectively removed by mathematical algorithms or, better still, by using electrical stimulation.

Gustatory-salivary reflex: neural activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers innervating the submandibular gland of the hamster

Electrophysiological experiments were performed to clarify the neural control mechanisms subserving gustatory-salivary reflex in anesthetized and decerebrate hamsters. Efferent neural activities of postganglionic sympathetic and preganglionic parasympathetic fibers, innervating the submandibular gland, were recorded when taste stimuli were infused into the oral cavity. Neural activities of primary gustatory afferents were also recorded from the chorda tympani (innervating the anterior part of the tongue) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (innervating the posterior part of the tongue). The parasympathetic fibers showed a low rate of spontaneous discharges (about 0.3 Hz), and responded tonically in an excitatory manner to taste stimulation. The magnitude of parasympathetic activity was highly correlated with the magnitude of gustatory afferent responses of the chorda tympani rather than that of the glossopharyngeal nerve. On the other hand, the sympathetic fibers showed irregular burst discharges (1.5 burst/s), and the rate of burst discharges was increased in response to high concentrations of HCl (0.03 M) or NaCl (1 M) solutions. Deafferentation experiments suggest that the parasympathetic activity is mainly influenced by gustatory information via the chorda tympani, while the sympathetic activity can be evoked by both the chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal nerve.

Disruption of the rhythmic activity of the medullary inspiratory neurons and phrenic nerve by fentanyl and reversal with nalbuphine.

The effects of intravenous administration of fentanyl (50 and 100 micrograms/kg) on the discharge activity of the medullary inspiratory neurons and of the phrenic nerve were studied following vagotomy in nine decerebrate, paralyzed mechanically ventilated cats. In six cats, the inspiratory neurons explored were in the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) associated with the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), while in the remaining three, they were in the ventral respiratory group (VRG). In the former group, the rhythmic discharge of the inspiratory neurons was disrupted by fentanyl and replaced by a continuous discharge superimposed with irregularly occurring bursts. These changes were also reflected by the phrenic nerve discharge. Inspiratory neuronal activity increased significantly (P less than 0.05) at 1 and 5 min after completion of fentanyl injection. Disruption of the rhythmic activity of the inspiratory neurons and its replacement by a continuous and irregular discharge may lead to sustained contraction of inspiratory muscles and cessation of respiration. In the VRG, the activity of the inspiratory neurons was totally abolished by fentanyl. Thus, it appears that different groups of medullary inspiratory neurons have differential sensitivity to fentanyl. Nalbuphine, an opiate agonist-antagonist, restored the normal pattern and magnitude of the activity of the inspiratory neurons.

Passive electrical properties of spontaneously active neurons in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis of the cat

We evaluated in chloralose-urethane anesthetized cats the passive electrical properties of 25 spontaneously active neurons in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGC) of the medulla oblongata. Compared to other mammalian brain regions, these reticular cells in general possessed higher input resistance, shorter membrane time constant and first equalizing time constant, and longer somatodendritic electrotonic length factor. It is discussed that, by providing a synaptic machinery for quick and sensitive response to afferent inputs and an efficacious interplay between temporal and spatial summation, these electrical membrane properties may account for the spontaneous and irregular discharge pattern characteristic of the NRGC neurons.

Identification of serotonergic and sympathetic neurons in medullary raphe nuclei

The purpose of the present study was to identify midline medullary serotonin (5-HT) neurons and to determine if these neurons were distinct from previously identified sympathoinhibitory and sympathoexcitatory neurons. Identification of medullary 5-HT neurons was based on electrophysiological and pharmacological similarities to dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons. Sympathoinhibitory and sympathoexcitatory neurons were characterized by an irregular discharge pattern which was temporally related to inferior cardiac sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) and to the cardiac cycle. Sympathoinhibitory neurons increased their discharge rate and the discharge of sympathoexcitatory neurons decreased during baroreceptor reflex activation. A third type of neuron fired in an extremely regular fashion (as judged by interspike interval analysis), fired at a rate of 1.1 spikes/s and had spike durations of approximately 2 ms. The discharges of regularly firing neurons were not temporally related to SND and were not affected during baroreceptor reflex activation. Regularly firing neurons and sympathoinhibitory neurons could be antidromically activated by electrical stimulation of the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord. Axonal conduction velocity of sympathoinhibitory neurons (2.4 m/s) was significantly greater than that for regularly firing neurons (1.3 m/s). Regularly firing neurons were completely inhibited by low doses of the 5-HT 1A agonist 8-hydroxy-dipropylamino-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (i.e. 2 μg/kg, i.v.) while much higher doses of the drug failed to affect the discharges of sympathoinhibitory and sympathoexcitatory neurons. Microiontophoretic application of 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT profoundly depressed the firing of regularly discharging neurons. Based on the striking similarities between regularly firing medullary neurons and dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons it is concluded that the regularly firing neurons were 5-HT-containing neurons. Furthermore, these medullary 5-HT neurons are distinct from sympathoinhibitory and sympathoexcitatory neurons.

Noradrenaline release evoked by a physiological irregular sympathetic discharge pattern is modulated by prejunctional alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in vivo.

1. Sympathetic nerve stimulation-evoked overflow of endogenous noradrenaline (NA) and vasoconstriction were studied in canine blood-perfused gracilis muscle in situ. Nerves were stimulated at an average frequency of 2 Hz (240 pulses, 120 s) with impulses derived from a recording of the normal irregular sympathetic discharge to human skeletal muscle, with regular bursts of impulses, or with the conventional continuous stimulus mode. 2. Variations in impulse activity were closely paralleled by changes in vascular tone. However, all stimulation patterns evoked the same integrated NA overflow and the same degree of vasoconstriction. 3. Blockade of beta-adrenoceptors by propranolol (0.5 mg kg-1 i.v.) significantly reduced NA overflow and vasoconstriction evoked both by continuous and irregular nerve stimulation, by approximately 15-20%. 4. The enhancement of NA overflow following alpha-adrenoceptor blockade by phenoxybenzamine (0.5 mg kg-1 local i.a.) was significantly greater when evoked by continuous than by irregular nerve discharge (24 vs 14 fold). Effects were similar with irregular and regular burst activity. Half of this enhancement has been shown to be due to blockade of neuronal uptake of NA by phenoxybenzamine. Vasoconstrictor responses to all stimulation patterns were similarly reduced, but not abolished, by phenoxybenzamine. 5. The normal irregular sympathetic discharge seems to evoke a similar integrated NA release and equally pronounced vasoconstriction as stimulation with regular bursts or at constant frequency. We provide additional evidence for a physiological prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of NA release. This mechanism may be influenced by the discharge pattern. Also prejunctional beta-adrenoceptors seem to modulate NA release under physiological conditions. However, the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism is quantitatively more important.

Involvement of neuropeptide Y in sympathetic vascular control of skeletal muscle in vivo

The possibility that neuropeptide Y, a vasoconstrictor peptide co-stored with noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves, participates in neurogenic vascular control was investigated in canine gracilis muscle in situ. Sympathetic nerve stimulation with recordings of the normal irregular sympathetic discharge to human skeletal muscle elicited frequency-dependent overflows of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline, and vasoconstriction. The overflow of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity was more markedly enhanced with increasing frequency. Exogenous neuropeptide Y reduced nerve stimulation-evoked noradrenaline overflow, possibly through a prejunctional mechanism, and caused dose-dependent vasoconstriction. Nerve stimulation elicited significant vasoconstrictor responses following alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol, which abolished the vasoconstriction to exogenous noradrenaline. Nerve stimulation-evoked overflows of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline were enhanced, consistent with prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of the release. Thus, neuropeptide Y is likely to be involved in the non-adrenergic component of vasoconstriction, and may participate in the physiological control of vascular tone at moderate to high impulse frequencies.

Sensory-synaptic interactions in crayfish stretch receptor neurones

1. This communication describes, in the tonic stretch receptor organ (RM1) of crayfish, the inhibitory fibre's influence upon sensory modulated discharges. Periodic trapezoidal length changes were imposed, and rate plots of the afferent discharges were compared without inhibition (C) and with inhibition, either irregular (P) or regular (R), and at different rates. 2. Inhibition changed all sensory response components. Changes were dependent on issues as inhibitory rates and patterns, RM 1 discharge modulations, and pre-post-synaptic rate ratios. The most common effect was rate reduction, usually non-uniform along the cycle and with little evidence of proportionality. Saturation, i.e., inefficacy of shifts around extreme inhibitory rates was apparent. Rate increases occurred also. Accelerations were manifest by increased phasic lengthening response slopes and heights, by “faster inhibitor-faster inhibited” relations, or by postinhibitory rebounds. 3. Irregular inhibitory discharges (i) favoured variability along individual and average cycles, (ii) favoured monotonicity, (iii) rarely silenced the RM 1, and (iv) reduced without eliminating nonproportionality and saturation. 4. Regular inhibitory discharges showed the most clear-cut nonmonotonicities and saturations silencing the RM 1 effectively. Furthermore, they included characteristic epochs where (i) the RM 1 spike slid across the invariant interinhibition intervals, (ii) intervals recurred in stereotyped sequences and (iii) rate ratios had special values (e.g., 1:1, 1:2). Thus, the gradually decaying slope of the control adaptation after the lengthening transient was changed into a staircase profile or a sudden drop to a constant plateau. 5. Inhibition changed phasic and tonic sensitivities, usually refucing them (phasic decreasing less than tonic); increases, joint or individual, occurred also. The fidelity with which the rate plot reproduced the sensory stimulus was modified in many ways (e.g., by conversion into a phasic prototype, or into a system with perfect reproduction, etc.). Changes depended on the inhibitory discharge, and on the stimulus features. 6. These experiments have implications in two fields. In that of synaptic rate effects, (i) they confirm that the inhibition repertory includes slowings (predominant here) and accelerations, plus special effects, and (ii) they demonstrate extensively their dependence on the post-synaptic features. In the field of sensory control, they note sensory-synaptic interactions that, in intact animals, must arise but whose characteristics and roles can only be conjectured about.

Irregular emergency department discharges: Why do patients leave without being seen or against medical advice?

Irregular emergency department discharges: Why do patients leave without being seen or against medical advice?

Neuropeptide Y and reserpine-resistant vasoconstriction evoked by sympathetic nerve stimulation in the dog skeletal muscle.

1. The effects of sympathetic nerve stimulation (evoked by recordings of authentic irregular vasoconstrictor nerve fibre discharge with average frequencies of 0.59, 2.0 and 6.9 Hz) on the perfusion pressure and the overflow of noradrenaline (NA) and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) were investigated in the blood-perfused gracilis muscle of the dog in situ. 2. Nerve stimulation in the untreated control group evoked a frequency-dependent increase in perfusion pressure and overflow of NA. A significant overflow of NPY-LI was found at the highest frequency only. 3. In a separate group of animals, the sympathetic supply was unilaterally interrupted by preganglionic decentralization before the administration of reserpine (1 mgkg-1 i.v.) 24 h before the experiment. Reserpine reduced the NA content of the intact and decentralized gracilis and gastrocnemius muscle by 98-99%. Reserpine also induced a marked (80%) reduction of the muscular content of NPY-LI. The depletion of NPY-LI was, in contrast to that of NA, prevented by the decentralization, suggesting that nerve impulse activity was of primary importance for the reserpine-induced depletion of NPY-LI. 4. A slowly developing and long-lasting perfusion pressure increase was evoked by nerve stimulation, at 2.0 and 6.9 Hz after reserpine treatment. These responses were larger in the decentralized, as compared to the intact gracilis muscle and correlated with the nerve stimulation evoked overflow of NPY-LI (r = 0.79, P less than 0.001). Stimulation at 0.59 Hz caused vasoconstriction in the decentralized but not in the intact gracilis. 5. Administration of alpha,beta,-methylene adenosine triphosphate did not evoke an increase in perfusion pressure in the gracilis muscle of reserpine-treated animals. 6. In conclusion, a large perfusion pressure increase to sympathetic nerve stimulation occurs in the reserpine-pretreated skeletal muscle vasculature of the dog in vivo, providing that preganglionic decentralization has been performed. It is suggested that the released NPY-LI may mediate this vasoconstrictor response.

Receptors in the bill of the platypus.

1. Afferent responses were recorded from filaments of the trigeminal nerve in each of two platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. All receptive fields were located along the lateral border of the upper bill. Discrete receptive fields could be identified as belonging to two distinct classes of sensory receptor. 2. The most prominent response was an irregular resting discharge which could be increased or decreased by weak electric pulses. These receptors were insensitive to moderately strong mechanical stimulation, and it was concluded that they were electroreceptors. 3. Each electroreceptor had a single spot of maximum sensitivity on the bill surface. When the stimulating electrode over this spot was the cathode it excited the receptor for the duration of the stimulating pulse, using stimulus strengths as low as 20 mV. When it was the anode, it inhibited the discharge. Cathodal excitation was followed by rebound inhibition and anodal inhibition by rebound excitation. 4. Receptors responded to cathodal steps with an initial high-frequency burst of impulses, followed by a lower maintained rate of discharge. Rapidly changing pulses were similarly effective in exciting receptors, adding support to the claim that platypuses are able to detect moving prey by the electrical activity associated with muscle contraction. 5. The centres of the receptive fields of two electroreceptors were marked by the insertion of fine entomological pins. Histological examination established the presence of a large mucus-secreting gland at the marked spot. The epidermal duct of the gland contained an elaborate myelinated innervation, with morphologically distinct axon terminals that we identify as the electroreceptors. 6. As well as electroreceptors, the skin of the bill contained three kinds of mechanoreceptors: slow-adapting receptors, rapidly adapting, vibration-sensitive receptors and receptors with an intermediate adaptation rate. The slowly adapting receptors were characterized by their low threshold to mechanical stimuli, irregular discharge and significant dynamic sensitivity. Vibration receptors showed maintained responses to sinusoidal vibration of the skin up to 600 Hz. 7. These experiments confirm an earlier report that the platypus bill is an electrodetector organ. The presence of electroreceptors of a unique structure and supplied by the trigeminal nerve indicates that electroreception has evolved independently in monotremes. This in turn emphasizes that monotremes are a highly evolved group which split off from the main mammalian stem a long time ago.

Characteristics of ongoing and reflex discharge of single splenic and renal sympathetic postganglionic fibres in cats.

1. Electrical discharge of thirty-nine single splenic and renal postganglionic nerve fibres was recorded in artificially respired, chloralose-anaesthetized cats. 2. Ongoing discharge rates, averaged over 10 s periods, did not differ between renal and splenic fibres. All neurones of both groups had irregular discharge frequencies. 3. Half of the splenic population and all renal fibres had cardiac-related discharge patterns. Of those tested for respiratory-related firing, 30% of the splenic fibres and 69% of the renal fibres exhibited this pattern. 4. Firing of splenic fibres was less inhibited than that of renal fibres by stimulation of pressoreceptors with phenylephrine-induced increases in blood pressure. Firing of splenic fibres also was less excited than that of renal fibres by unloading pressoreceptors with depressor doses of sodium nitroprusside. 5. Chemical stimulation of splenic afferent nerves with bradykinin consistently elicited greater increases in splenic than renal nerve discharge by causing large increases in firing of all splenic fibres and smaller excitatory responses in 75% of the renal fibres. 6. Application of bradykinin to the intestinal serosa produced greater increases in renal than splenic nerve discharge by consistently causing increased firing of renal fibres and by causing excitation, inhibition, or no change in splenic fibre discharge. 7. Responses of splenic and renal fibres to stimulation of splenic and intestinal afferent nerves after spinal cord transection were similar to those responses elicited when the neuraxis was intact. 8. In conclusion, the differential reflex responses of splenic and renal neuronal populations can be due to the heterogeneity or to the intensity of responses within a neuronal population.

Electrophysiological indices of degree of functional integration between gratified neural tissue and the host brain

Neocortex from 17–18-day rat embryos was transplanted into the barrel-field cortical area in adult rats. Neuronal response to deflecting the vibrissae was tested in the graft 3–8 months afterwards. Nine out of 11 grafts showed a response to sensory stimulation. Irregular and asynchronous discharges predominated in neuronal background firing activity in these grafts. Generalized slow-wave activity had much in common with that occurring on the diametrically opposite site on the intact host brain cortex. Hypersynchronous volleys were detected in neurons of unresponsive grafts. A predominance of waves within the delta range while other rhythms remained only faint, together with epileptiform sharp spikes were seen in generalized activity. Histological treatment of responding grafts revealed close fusion between tissue and host brain. Non-responsive grafts were surronded by a thick glial scar.

Chronic treatment with high doses of haloperidol fails to decrease the time course for the development of depolarization inactivation of midbrain dopamine neurons

Using extracellular single unit recording techniques, we investigated the effects produced by chronic treatment with high doses of haloperidol (CHAL, 5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) on midbrain dopamine (DA) neuronal activity. This regimen of HAL treatment produced a time-dependent reduction in the number of spontaneously active DA neurons. Additionally, this dose regimen induced an irregular firing pattern in many of the remaining active DA neurons in both the ventral tegmental area (A10) and substantia nigra pars compacta (A9) regions. These effects were comparable to those obtained previously in rats treated chronically with lower doses of HAL (0.5 mg/kg/day, s.c.). However, there was a greater decrease in the number of spontaneously active DA cells detected in rats treated with high doses of HAL for three weeks compared to those receiving the low doses. On the other hand, higher doses of apomorphine (200 μg/kg, i.v.) were required to reverse both the reduction of DA activity and irregular discharge pattern in rats treated chronically with high doses of HAL. In conclusion, the results of the present study substaniate the view that CHAL-induced depolarization inactivation (DI) of DA neurons is a time-dependent process and chronic treatment with high doses of HAL did not shorten the time course required for the development of DI on the majority of midbrain DA neurons.