Biomaterial Database

Nature of thalamo-cortical relations during spontaneous barbiturate spindle activity. 1967

P Andersen, and S A Andersson, and T Lomo

1. The relation between thalamic and cortical spontaneous spindles was investigated in cats anaesthetized with barbiturates.2. Simultaneous recordings with multiple electrodes in the thalamus and cortex revealed a high correlation between thalamic and cortical spindle activity, both with regard to the occurrence of the spindles as well as to their individual waves, provided a critical location of the electrodes was secured. The results indicate a point-to-point relation between a group of thalamic cells and a small cortical area to which these cells project. In the spontaneous rhythm, the cortical columns are probably individually controlled by a thalamic rhythmic entity. This point-to-point relation was found in all the major sensory projection systems and in one thalamic ;association' nucleus and its corresponding ;association' cortex.3. Cortical barbiturate spindles appeared either as local spindles in a restricted cortical area or as compound spindles in several areas. Spindles recorded from electrodes separated by 2 mm or more were clearly different with regard to intraspindle wave frequency, duration, and the time of start and stop of the spindle. These differences increased with increasing distance between the electrodes, and were most pronounced when the corticograms of the two hemispheres were compared.4. Spontaneous spindle activity interfered with orthodromic transmission through n. ventralis posterolateralis (VPL) and medial geniculate nucleus (MG), judged by depression of the thalamic and cortical responses to peripheral nerve volleys or clicks. Such inhibition required the afferent volley to be delivered at a particular time of the spontaneous oscillations. Further, orthodromic volleys reset the rhythmic spindle waves in the appropriate thalamic and cortical areas.5. These findings lead to a new concept of the thalamic pace-maker function. During barbiturate anaesthesia, small assemblages of thalamic neurones seem to have the ability to generate independent rhythmic discharges, and thereby control the rhythm of the particular cortical column to which this thalamic group projects.6. During barbiturate anaesthesia, many facultative pace-makers seem to be present in the thalamus. The total number may be as large as 25,000-35,000. Usually, many of these rhythmic thalamic units beat in synchrony or near synchrony.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010424	Pentobarbital	A short-acting barbiturate that is effective as a sedative and hypnotic (but not as an anti-anxiety) agent and is usually given orally. It is prescribed more frequently for sleep induction than for sedation but, like similar agents, may lose its effectiveness by the second week of continued administration. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p236)	Mebubarbital,Mebumal,Diabutal,Etaminal,Ethaminal,Nembutal,Pentobarbital Sodium,Pentobarbital, Monosodium Salt,Pentobarbitone,Sagatal,Monosodium Salt Pentobarbital
D001917	Brachial Plexus	The large network of nerve fibers which distributes the innervation of the upper extremity. The brachial plexus extends from the neck into the axilla. In humans, the nerves of the plexus usually originate from the lower cervical and the first thoracic spinal cord segments (C5-C8 and T1), but variations are not uncommon.	Plexus, Brachial
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D005829	Geniculate Bodies	Part of the DIENCEPHALON inferior to the caudal end of the dorsal THALAMUS. Includes the lateral geniculate body which relays visual impulses from the OPTIC TRACT to the calcarine cortex, and the medial geniculate body which relays auditory impulses from the lateral lemniscus to the AUDITORY CORTEX.	Lateral Geniculate Body,Medial Geniculate Body,Metathalamus,Corpus Geniculatum Mediale,Geniculate Nucleus,Lateral Geniculate Nucleus,Medial Geniculate Complex,Medial Geniculate Nucleus,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Dorsalis,Nucleus Geniculatus Lateralis Pars Dorsalis,Bodies, Geniculate,Complex, Medial Geniculate,Complices, Medial Geniculate,Corpus Geniculatum Mediales,Geniculate Bodies, Lateral,Geniculate Bodies, Medial,Geniculate Body,Geniculate Body, Lateral,Geniculate Body, Medial,Geniculate Complex, Medial,Geniculate Complices, Medial,Geniculate Nucleus, Lateral,Geniculate Nucleus, Medial,Geniculatum Mediale, Corpus,Geniculatum Mediales, Corpus,Lateral Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Bodies,Medial Geniculate Complices,Mediale, Corpus Geniculatum,Mediales, Corpus Geniculatum,Nucleus, Geniculate,Nucleus, Lateral Geniculate,Nucleus, Medial Geniculate
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013788	Thalamus	Paired bodies containing mostly GRAY MATTER and forming part of the lateral wall of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain.	Thalamencephalon,Thalamencephalons