Collateral Inhibition in the Sensorimotor Cortex of the Cat and the Squirrel Monkey – its Role in Control of Neuronal Discharges

Abstract

Recordings taken with multiple microelectrodes from cats'' and squirrel monkeys'' sensorimotor cortices and aided by the use of collision techniques, provided some direct evidence for the operation of surround collateral inhibition including recurrent collateral inhibition. Some data was also obtained hinting at a possible role of this later mechanism in the limitation of late or repetitive neuronal discharges. Thus, by the prevention of the antidromic responses of some neurones, it was possible to show a causal relationship between the silence of such neurones and action of other neighboring neurones, and pari passu, between their activity and silence of their neighbors. These phenomena were interpreted as due to surround collateral inhibition.