ELECTRONARCOSIS. II. INHIBITION OF ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF CEREBRAL CORTEX FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF PULSED STIMULUS TO DIENCEPHALON

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Abstract
Square wave electrical stimulation (280/sec) of a diencephalic center situated close to the mamillary bodies reduces inhibition of the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex, mainly of the motor area. With appropriate location of the stimulating electrodes and sufficient intensity, of stimulation, the inhibition of electrical activity may be complete. Occasionally diphasic spikes having the same frequency as the alpha rhythm are observed in the tracing, and they are interpreted as representing the activity of a single neuron or of a small group of neurons escaping inhibition. Before complete inhibition is reached and immediately thereafter, a marked increase of the beta waves is observed, together with a marked regular slow (10-18/sec.) rhythm, which may appear continuous or in spindles. This is interpreted as reduced cortical activity or incomplete inhibition, and if the intensity of stimulation is reduced enough it represents the only change in the EEG. Only the frontal poles seem to escape inhibition following diencephalic stimulation. There the beta rhythm is unchanged and waves of 8-12/sec frequency appear which have an amplitude 4-5 times the size of normal alpha rhythm; the changes last longer than in the stage of complete inhibition in the motor zone.

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