Reticular Mechanisms of Sensory Control

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Abstract
This chapter is concerned with the participation of the reticular system in the regulation of the activity of all sensory paths. The data proposed here is derived mainly from some studies relevant to the topic, including part of the most recent experiments. Experimental data are presented relevant to the influence of the brain-stem reticular system upon specific sensory neurons. Electrical stimulation of the reticular formation elicits inhibitory or facilitatory interactions at all the synaptic stations of the specific afferent pathways. These effects have been observed in the somatic, auditory, visual, and olfactory pathways. On the other hand, lesions involving the central core of the brain stem enhance synchronized afferent volleys. It can be concluded that during wakefulness there is a tonic inhibitory action of the supraspinal structures that regulates sensory messages.

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