EFFECTS OF RESERPINE ON RETICULAR RESPONSE TO SENSORY STIMULATION

The ponto-geniculo-occipital sharp wave activity (PGO-R), which is observed after a single injection of reserpine in the cat, can be triggered by sensory stimulations. The sharp wave occurs 120-150 msec after a natural acoustic or visual stimulus, and 80 msec after an electrical subcutaneous shock. This response disappears after some repetitions. The PGO-R wave represents thus at the reticular level a second component of the response, clearly distinct from the usual evoked potential. The unitary recording of reticular neurons confirms these data. The relationships between PGO-R activity and PGO activity of paradoxical sleep are discussed. © 1969.