Biomaterial Database

Spontaneous synchronized neural activity in decerebrate gallamine-paralysed cats. 1995

W Burke, and T A Sears, and C Seers

Sobell Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurology, University of London, UK.

In decerebrate cats paralysed with gallamine, over a period of several days there develops a remarkable synchronization of discharge in widely different motor nerves throughout the body, including intercostal nerves and limb nerves. These discharges are also in synchrony with slow waves approximately 100 ms in duration in the inferior olive. The slow waves and discharges are at first irregular and only weakly synchronized, but become increasingly strongly synchronized and by about the fourth day exhibit a strong 6-8 Hz rhythm. The degree of synchronization is greater the lower the end-tidal CO2 concentration. Transection of the spinal cord at a high cervical level breaks the synchrony and may abolish the discharge in the nerves, but the slow waves in the inferior olive continue rhythmically. It was shown, however, that gallamine injected subdurally at cervical vertebra 7 or lumbar vertebra 7 has a direct excitatory action on the spinal cord. Slow waves in the inferior olive are elicited by gallamine in the decerebrate, spinalized and decerebellectomized cat, and therefore must originate in the brainstem. Gallamine is known to act directly on olivary neurons and the slow waves may originate in the inferior olive, but further experiments are needed to determine what other structures it affects. The condition of the cat a few days after decerebration and paralysis resembles the clinical condition of reticular reflex myoclonus and it is suggested that the genesis of the myoclonus may be similar in the two conditions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
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
D009847	Olivary Nucleus	A brainstem nuclear complex. in the hindbrain, also referred to as the olivary body. The olivary nuclear complex is a part of the MEDULLA OBLONGATA and the PONTINE TEGMENTUM. It is involved with motor control and is a major source of sensory input to the CEREBELLUM.	Basal Nucleus, Olivary,Nucleus Basalis, Olivary,Olivary Body,Olivary Complex,Olivary Nuclei,Complex, Olivary,Nucleus, Olivary,Nucleus, Olivary Basal,Olivary Basal Nucleus,Olivary Bodies
D010243	Paralysis	A general term most often used to describe severe or complete loss of muscle strength due to motor system disease from the level of the cerebral cortex to the muscle fiber. This term may also occasionally refer to a loss of sensory function. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p45)	Palsy,Plegia,Todd Paralysis,Todd's Paralysis,Palsies,Paralyses,Paralysis, Todd,Paralysis, Todd's,Plegias,Todds Paralysis
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
D003655	Decerebrate State	A condition characterized by abnormal posturing of the limbs that is associated with injury to the brainstem. This may occur as a clinical manifestation or induced experimentally in animals. The extensor reflexes are exaggerated leading to rigid extension of the limbs accompanied by hyperreflexia and opisthotonus. This condition is usually caused by lesions which occur in the region of the brainstem that lies between the red nuclei and the vestibular nuclei. In contrast, decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the elbows and wrists with extension of the legs and feet. The causative lesion for this condition is located above the red nuclei and usually consists of diffuse cerebral damage. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p358)	Decerebrate Posturing,Decorticate Rigidity,Decorticate State,Rigidity, Decerebrate,Rigidity, Decorticate,Decerebrate Posturings,Decerebrate Rigidity,Decerebrate States,Decorticate Rigidities,Decorticate States,Posturing, Decerebrate,Posturings, Decerebrate,Rigidities, Decorticate,State, Decerebrate,States, Decerebrate
D005260	Female		Females
D005703	Gallamine Triethiodide	A synthetic nondepolarizing blocking drug. The actions of gallamine triethiodide are similar to those of TUBOCURARINE, but this agent blocks the cardiac vagus and may cause sinus tachycardia and, occasionally, hypertension and increased cardiac output. It should be used cautiously in patients at risk from increased heart rate but may be preferred for patients with bradycardia. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p198)	Gallamine,Gallamonium Iodide,Flaxedil,Gallamine Triethochloride,Gallamine Triethyl Iodide,Iodide, Gallamine Triethyl,Iodide, Gallamonium,Triethiodide, Gallamine,Triethochloride, Gallamine,Triethyl Iodide, Gallamine
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
D001369	Axons	Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body.	Axon