SUPPRESSION OF SINGLE UNIT ACTIVITY IN COCHLEAR NUCLEUS OF THE CAT FOLLOWING SOUND STIMULATION

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Abstract
Spontaneously active units in cochlear nucleus of sodium pentobarbital anesthetized cats were studied during stimulation with steady tones for periods ranging from 5 seconds to over 10 minutes. Upon terminating these stimuli, suppression of spontaneous activity occurred in all the units examined. In 35% of the units, the duration of suppressed activity increased linearly as a function of the logarithm of the sound duration and in 40%, the relationship deviated only slightly from linearity. In the remaining 25% of units, the duration of suppressed spontaneous activity remained constant regardless of the duration of sound exposure. Unit activity after sounds was also influenced by patterns of spontaneous and evoked discharges. The period of suppressed spontaneous activity following sounds was associated with a decrease in unit excitability. This decrease in excitability can be attributed, in part, to activity in central nervous system mechanisms. Changes in unit activity following sounds are discussed in relationship to perceptual aftereffects of auditory "fatigue" in man.

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