A Neurohumoral Mechanism of Reticulo-Cortical Activation

Abstract

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.