Studies on the “cerebral pacemaker”

Abstract

Simultaneous recording of homologous runs from the 2 cerebral hemispheres indicate that more than 50% of the waves studied were found to be synchronous within the limits of accuracy of the method of measurement. Alpha and beta activity was measured to [plus or minus]1 msecond with oscillographic studies, and slow wave activity was measured to[plus or minus] 5 to 10 mseconds with paper recording. The authors postulate a central neurophysiologic mechanism which is capable of maintaining such synchrony, and term this the "cerebral pacemaker". The pacemaker is most likely located in the reticular substance of the upper brainstem or in the adjacent posterior hypothalamic regions, and it probably functions via a relay through the nonspecific diffuse projection nuclei of the thalamus.