A Neurohumoral Mechanism of Reticulo-Cortical Activation

¹ From the Laboratory of the Department of Neurological Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City

Cross-perfusion experiments were performed on unanesthetized intact and ‘encephale isole’ cats paralyzed with minimal amounts of succinylcholine-chloride. Stimulation of the bulbar reticular formation in one animal (donor) produced electrocortical ‘activation’ in the second (recipient) animal after 30–80 seconds. In addition to evoking typical activation patterns in the recipient animal, both facilitation and inhibition of Metrazol spikes were obtained in the recipient animal by reticular stimulation of the donor. This effect on the brain of the recipient animal is attributed to the release of a humoral agent from the brain of the first, electrically stimulated (donor) animal. The long latency effect is believed to represent elaboration of the neurohumor through intermediate stages.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Monnier and L. Hosli Dialysis of Sleep and Waking Factors in Blood of the Rabbit Science, November 6, 1964; 146(3645): 796 - 798. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. H. JACOBSON and G. F. GESTRING Centrifugal Influence upon the Electroretinogram Arch Ophthalmol, August 1, 1958; 60(2): 295 - 302. [Abstract] [PDF]