STUDIES ON CORTICOHYPOTHALAMIC RELATIONS IN THE CAT AND MAN

Abstract

A special technique was developed whereby, in the intact cat and human, stimulation of and recording of potentials from the hypothalamus were possible. The hypothalamic electro-gram is specific and differs from that of the cortex. Electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus and ideational emotion-laden stimuli increase hypothalamic potentials at once and in recurrent long lasting bursts. The cortex reacts in a similar excitatory manner secondary to the hypothalamic excitation. Strong electrical or emotional stimuli evoke synchronous discharge of hypothalamus and cortex. Various drugs produce characteristic responses.