EFFECT OF COMPLETE BASAL UNDERCUTTING OF SEPTUM UPON ITS NEURONAL-ACTIVITY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (1) , 141-149
Abstract
Spontaneous neuronal activity and activity evoked by sensory stimuli of medial and lateral septal nuclei deprived of their basal connections was investigated in chronic unanesthetized rabbits. After basal undercutting of the septum, many neurons in both nuclei produced highly regular pace-maker-like activity. The proportion of neurons with rhythmic bursts of spontaneous activity did not change, but the frequency of bursts decreased to 2.8-3.9/s. Reactivity of neurons to sensory stimuli was low in both nuclei. Electric stimulation of the hippocampus was highly effective. The majority of septal neurons responded to each stimulus by a short (30-150 ms) inhibition. The possible organization of rhythmic .theta.-activity of septal neurons is discussed.