THE EFFECT OF AFFERENT IMPULSES ON HYPOTHALAMIC POTENTIALS

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Abstract
Cortical and hypothalamic potentials were recorded simultaneously under conditions involving electrical, mechanical or osmotic stimulation of afferent nerve fibers and end organs. Stimuli eliciting the typical autonomic and somatic responses which accompany pain altered hypothalamic and cortical potentials in a similar manner. These changes may be classified into 3 groups. A small degree of excitation is characterized by the disappearance of "Dial" potentials without significant change in background activity. On stronger excitation of the hypothalamus, the background potentials show a greater frequency of discharge than those appearing between the periods of "Dial" potentials prior to the stimulation. The highest degree of excitation is characterized by an increase in frequency and amplitude of the background potentials in both the hypothalamus and the cortex. This increased frequency of discharge of hypothalamic neurons as a result of afferent stimulation is demonstrated also in the strychninized hypothalamus. It is suggested that the excitation of the hypothalamus by afferent impulses is due to a lessened degree of synchrony of the discharging neurons as well as to the additional recruitment of previously inactive nerve cells.

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