Observations on Electrocorticographic Effects of Acetylcholine in Monkeys and Cats

Abstract

Topical application of acetylcholine to the exposed cortex of anesthetized cat and monkey usually produced a local depression. The depression was not propagated, and was not due to changes of systemic blood pressure. The local depression was often succeeded and sometimes masked by enhanced electrical reactivity. This action varied from a barely discernible increase to a sustained high voltage pattern lasting 30 min. The discharges were randomly distributed in time in some instances; in others, the activity was organized in distinct groups of paroxysmal spikes each group being accompanied by a distinct surface negative D. C pulse.