bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stiffness of cat soleus muscle and tendon during activation of part of muscle
Authors: Proske U. , Morgan D. L.
Published: December 2017

Experiments have been carried out on the soleus muscle and its tendon in the anesthetized cat. Measurements of isometric tension and muscle stiffness were made during contraction of whole or part of the muscle in response to stimulation of ventral root filaments. In an attempt to determine the distribution of tension in different portions of the tendon during activation of only part of the muscle, the free tendon of insertion was split longitudinally into two halves and a strain gauge attached to each piece. From a large number of measurements, it was found that the mean fraction of tension recorded in one-half of the tendon remained about the same, over a wide range of tensions. However, the scatter of values, which increased as the portion of muscle contracting was reduced, was greater than expected if muscle fibers were randomly distributed throughout the muscle. Measurements of muscle and tendon stiffness were made from length and tension changes during stretch of the actively contracting muscle. Ventral root stimulation that engaged 20% or more of the muscle yielded a value for tendon compliance (0.09 mm/N), which was the same as for stimulating the whole muscle. This result suggested that for contraction of portions as small as 20% of the muscle, fibers were effectively attached to the whole tendon, indicating that tendinous attachments of individual muscle fibers ran independent of one another over only a short distance and were bound together over most of their remaining course. It was concluded that groups of muscle fibers selected by stimulation of ventral root filaments are not entirely randomly distributed throughout the muscle. However, for groups representing larger fractions of the total tension, (greater than 20%) the distribution is uniform enough and the connections between their tendinous attachments firm enough for the force applied by such a group to act through a tendon compliance, which is the same as that seen by the whole muscle.
Specific and nonspecific mechanisms involved in generation of PAD of group Ia afferents in cat spinal cord
Authors: Jimenez I. , Rudomin P. , Solodkin M. , Vyklicky L.
Published: December 2017

In the spinal cord of the anesthetized cat, we measured the changes in extracellular concentration of potassium ions [K+]e and the negative DC shifts produced by stimulation of muscle, cutaneous and mixed afferent nerves, together with alterations in the threshold of single group Ia fibers that were tested at the same site as the potassium measurements. This approach provided information on the extent to which the excitability changes of single Ia-fibers can be correlated with the changes in [K+]e occurring at the same site. Stimulation of the tibial (TIB) nerve and of the cutaneous sural (SU), and superficial peroneous (SP) nerve (100-Hz trains lasting 30-60 s) with stimulus strengths of 10-15 times threshold increased the concentration of [K+]e in the dorsal horn by 2-5 mmol/l above the resting value of 3 mmol/l. This was in clear contrast with the very small [K+]e increases produced at the same site during stimulation of muscle nerves, such as the posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt), gastrocnemius soleus (GS), and deep peroneus (DP), which were generally smaller than 0.25 mmol/l. Stimulation of the PBSt and GS muscle nerves did produce small, but clear, increases of [K+]e (up to 0.3 mmol/l) in the region of the intermediate nucleus, where these fibers synapse with second order cells. These changes were nevertheless smaller than those produced at the same site by stimulation of the TIB, SU, and SP nerves. The peak amplitudes of the [K+]e transients produced by long-lasting 100-Hz trains applied to cutaneous and/or to muscle nerves showed a linear relationship with the amplitudes of the slow negative DC shifts, which were simultaneously recorded from the NaCl barrel of the potassium electrode assembly. Stimulus trains (100 Hz) applied to group I muscle afferents (PBSt and DP) very effectively reduced the threshold for intraspinal activation of individual group I GS fibers but produced negligible negative DC shifts at the same site. On the other hand, 100-Hz stimulus trains applied to the SU and SP nerves produced large negative DC shifts, even with low-stimulus strengths (2 X T, where T is threshold), but had much smaller effects on the threshold of group Ia GS fibers. Increasing the intensity of the stimuli applied to cutaneous and mixed nerves above 2 X T strength further reduced the threshold of the Ia-fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Active force and sensory response of single isolated cat muscle spindles in vitro
Authors: Fukami Y.
Published: December 2017

Active tetanic tension developed by stimulation of a nerve innervating single isolated muscle spindles of the cat was measured. The maximum tetanic force varied among spindles, ranging from 2.3 to 8.5 mg. For four spindles, the maximum tetanic force was converted into the force per unit cross-sectional area of nuclear chain and nuclear bag fibers. The results are discussed in terms of structural and functional complexities of the intrafusal fibers. The length-tension diagram of single isolated spindles showed maximum tetanic tension occurring at a spindle length longer than 1o, which was defined as the length beyond which passive tension starts to develop. This result, which appears to be different from the corresponding diagram for extrafusal muscle, is discussed in relation to the existing reports on the mechanical properties of intrafusal fibers. Spindle sensory response vs. tetanic tension was analyzed for single isolated spindles with two independent nerve supplies, one containing sensory and the other containing fusimotor axons. The results suggest that the static discharge rate of sensory endings may be linearly related, within the range examined, to the tetanic plateau tension of intrafusal fibers.
Properties of persistent sodium conductance and calcium conductance of layer V neurons from cat sensorimotor cortex in vitro
Authors: Stafstrom C. E. , Schwindt P. C. , Chubb M. C. , Crill W. E.
Published: December 2017

Properties of the persistent sodium conductance and the calcium conductance of layer V neurons from cat sensorimotor cortex were examined in an in vitro slice preparation by use of a single microelectrode, somatic voltage clamp, current clamp, intra- and extracellular application of blocking agents, and extracellular ion substitution. The persistent sodium current (INaP) attained its steady level within 2-4 ms of a step change in voltage at every potential where it could be examined directly [to about 40 mV positive to resting potential (RP)]. Because of its fast onset INaP can be activated during a single excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and can influence the subsequent voltage time course and cell excitability. Application of a depolarizing holding potential greater than or equal to 20 mV positive to RP could inactivate spikes, thus allowing examination of INaP at voltages positive to spike threshold. At every potential where INaP was visible, it was mixed with a slow outward current. After depressing potassium currents with blocking agents, INaP could be observed during depolarizations to about 40 mV positive to RP where it is normally hidden by the larger outward currents. Indirect evidence suggests that INaP is present and large during prolonged depolarizations greater than 50 mV positive to RP. INaP was blocked by intracellular injection of the lidocaine derivative QX-314, as well as by extracellular tetrodotoxin (TTX). INaP was much more sensitive to QX-314 than was the height and rate of rise of the spike. This observation and the results in paragraph 3 above are best explained by separate INaP and spike sodium channels. After blockade of INaP and sodium spikes, Ca2+ spikes could be evoked only if potassium currents were first depressed. The Ca2+-dependent nature of the regenerative potentials was indicated by their disappearance when Co2+ or Mn2+ was substituted for Ca2+ in the perfusate and by the appearance of greatly enhanced potentials of similar form when Ba2+ was substituted for Ca2+. Ba2+ substitution greatly enhanced evoked and spontaneous synaptic potentials. Prolonged-plateau action potentials could be evoked in the presence of TTX and Ba2+. Ca2+ spike threshold was 30-40 mV positive to RP, which is significantly more positive than sodium spike threshold. Results of voltage clamp in the normal perfusate and in the presence of Ca2+-blockers or Ba2+ indicated that little or no Ca2+ conductance is activated in the voltage range 25 mV positive to RP where INaP is the dominant ionic current.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Apparent movement of optic terminals out of a local postsynaptically blocked region in goldfish optic tectum
Authors: Schmidt J. T.
Published: December 2017

In goldfish tectum, alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha BTX) blocks postsynaptically generated field potentials elicited by either photic or electrical stimulation, but leaves presynaptic activity unaffected. To assess the chronic effects of blocking transmission on synaptic stability, small restricted areas of synaptic block were created by slow, low-pressure microinjection of toxin-Ringer's solution from a micropipette. Local transmission was blocked, but field potentials outside the injected region were unchanged. Radioautography of 125I-alpha BTX demonstrated that 6 days postinjection it was still highly localized and concentrated in discrete synaptic laminae of the tectal neuropil, in agreement with its known tight binding in goldfish brain (18). Electrophysiological maps made 6-8 days postinjection showed that few if any optic terminals could be recorded in the toxin-blocked zone, but there was no scotoma in the visual field. Terminals with receptive fields that would normally have corresponded to the region of injection were instead recorded from surrounding tectal areas. Since the normal units were also recorded there, this produced very large multiunit receptive fields. Apparently the optic terminals within the toxin-blocked area moved outward and innervated neighboring areas. In a minority of cases, no silent areas were noted and only the enlarged multiunit receptive fields were seen in the injection zone. All tecta injected with alpha BTX, but none injected with Ringer's, showed these disturbances in the map at the treated area at 6-8 days postinjection. By 2-3 wk, the maps in the alpha BTX-injected tecta had returned to normal. There were no silent areas and no enlarged receptive fields. The movement of the optic arbors was shown to be dependent on activity in the optic fibers. In fish receiving intraocular injections of tetrodotoxin (TTX) for the first 4-6 days, no changes were seen in the retinotectal maps recorded after the effects of the TTX wore off. When the entire surface of the tectum was blocked with multiple injections of alpha BTX, normal maps were recorded at 6-8 days postinjection. Thus in order to produce movements in optic terminals, the fibers require activity and an opportunity to make effective synapses in a nearby zone.
Representation of stimulus azimuth by low-frequency neurons in inferior colliculus of the cat
Authors: Aitkin L. M. , Pettigrew J. D. , Calford M. B. , Phillips S. C. , Wise L. Z.
Published: December 2017

The responses to changes in stimulus azimuth of 204 neurons in the inferior colliculus of the cat with best frequencies of less than 3 kHz were studied. Three main unit classes were identified: omnidirectional units uninfluenced by speaker azimuth (39%); multipeaked units with several azimuthal regions at which peak firing occurred (9%); and azimuth-selective units that showed clear preferences for a discrete range of sound-source azimuths (52%). Alterations in stimulus intensity produced little change in the shapes of profiles relating firing rate to stimulus azimuth (azimuth functions), but the peaks of these functions could shift by up to 20 degrees. Similar observations were made for a small sample of units, each of which was examined with a variety of stimulus frequencies. The pinnae were removed bilaterally in 11 cats, and azimuth functions for 35 units were measured both binaurally and with the ipsilateral or contralateral ear occluded. Evidence was found for facilitative or suppressive interactions, as a function of stimulus azimuth, between monaural inputs. The sharpness of an azimuth function was expressed by the half-width of the function, i.e., the number of degrees of azimuth between the peak of the function and the point at which 50% of maximum firing occurred on the medial side of the peak. When half-widths were plotted as a function of best frequency, it was found that the sharpest azimuth functions occurred for units with best frequencies between 1.1 and 1.5 kHz. Most units in the lowest two octaves (0.1-0.4 kHz) or having best frequencies between 2 and 3 kHz were omnidirectional. The relationship between half-width and the azimuth at which peak firing occurred (best azimuth) revealed that a range of best azimuths between 10 and 40 degrees contralateral contained the sharpest azimuth functions. When best frequency was plotted against best azimuth, it was observed that the majority of units (93%) had best azimuths in the contralateral hemifield. For frequencies between 0.7 and 1.7 kHz, best azimuths occurred relatively evenly between 10 and 60 degrees contralateral. These data suggested that for frequencies between 1.2 and 1.4 kHz, at least, the best azimuths of different units with the same best frequency collectively provide information about stimulus location across much of the contralateral hemifield.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Receptor potentials of isolated frog muscle spindle evoked by sinusoidal stimulation
Authors: Querfurth H.
Published: December 2017

Receptor potentials in response to sinusoidal stimulation have been recorded from isolated muscle spindles of the frog. Sinusoidal displacements of different amplitudes (20-120 micron) and frequencies (0.1-100 Hz) were used. The mean static stretch level was adjusted between resting length (L0) and L0 + 400 micron, so that the amplitude and phase-response characteristics were measured at different operating points. Depending on the amount of static prestretch, there is a well-defined dynamic range, which limits the receptor potential by nonlinear compression of either its positive or negative half-cycle. For each point on the static operating curve there exists a dynamic operating curve with a sigmoidal shape. The range of each dynamic curve is approximately 80 micron, independent of the static displacement, and the maxima of all dynamic curves are the same. Therefore the dynamic curves are not symmetrical about their static operating point. The slope of the steepest portion is 10% of the maximum elicitable receptor potential per 10-micron dynamic displacement. For stimulus frequencies greater than 2 Hz the receptor potential deviates from a sinusoidal waveform, exhibiting a fast depolarization transient during stretch and a prolonged repolarization transient during release of stretch. The steepness of the depolarization transient increases with increasing stimulus frequency, amplitude, and prestretch level. As a result, the interval from trough to peak of the receptor potential shortens to less than 90 degrees instead of half a cycle. The repolarization transient has an exponential decay with a time constant of approximately 40 ms that remains constant during the various stimulus conditions. As a result of this slow decay time, individual receptor potentials summate, so that the response divides into a modulated receptor potential (AC component) and a maintained depolarization (DC component). The amplitude response characteristic of the stationary AC component increases with increasing stimulus frequencies up to a peak at 2 Hz, after which it declines with a slope of -3 dB/octave. Provided large sinusoidal stretches and/or extended prestretch levels are used, this high-frequency decline of the AC component is compensated for by the proportional increase of the DC component, so that the peak depolarization values remain constant from 2 to 100 Hz. Stimulus and response are in phase for stimulus frequencies less than 2 Hz and reverse to phase lag at higher stimulus frequencies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Impulse rates and sensitivity to stretch of soleus muscle spindle afferent fibers during locomotion in premammillary cats
Authors: Taylor J. , Stein R. B. , Murphy P. R.
Published: December 2017

Impulse from soleus muscle afferents were recorded in premammillary cats that were walking on a treadmill. In normal walking the effects of gamma-motoneurons on impulse rates of muscle spindle afferents are confounded by the effects of the large length changes that occur. To isolate the effects of gamma-motoneurons the leg was fixed in place for recording and denervated except for soleus muscle. Because gamma-motoneurons produce marked effects on the stretch sensitivity of muscle afferents, soleus muscle was oscillated about a present length so the stretch sensitivity of its afferents could be determined. The impulse rate of secondary muscle spindle afferents in soleus muscle was generally increased at all phases of the step cycle. The mean rate approximately doubled during walking (82 imp/s), compared with nonwalking (rest) periods (44 imp/s). The sensitivity to sinusoidal length changes was generally reduced throughout the step cycle (mean reduction = 33%). Primary muscle spindle afferents also showed an increased mean rate during walking (47 imp/s) compared with rest (24 imp/s). The impulse rate peaked after the muscle reached its maximum force and often showed a second peak before the maximum electromyogram (EMG) activity. The sensitivity to sinusoidal stretches varied cyclically during locomotion. During the extension phase it sometimes exceeded the resting value, but was greatly reduced during the flexion phase (mean reduction = 49% over whole cycle). Control experiments were carried out in which static and dynamic gamma-motoneurons were stimulated and activity from muscle spindle afferents was recorded in anesthetized cats. With the amplitude and frequency of stretch applied, stimulation of dynamic gamma-motoneurons usually increased and stimulation of static gamma-motoneurons usually decreased the sensitivity of primary muscle spindle afferents to sinusoidal stretch. The patterns observed in muscle spindle afferents suggest a strong, maintained activation of static gamma-motoneurons throughout the step cycle and a phasic activation of dynamic gamma-motoneurons, which is consistent with previous direct recordings from gamma-motoneurons. With this pattern of activating gamma-motoneurons, the secondary muscle spindle afferents will provide a good feedback signal of the large length changes that normally occur in the muscle during locomotion. The changes in sensitivity of primary muscle spindle afferents will complement central changes so the gain of the stretch reflex from extensors is high during extension (when required to help support the weight of the body) and low during flexion (when a high gain would be counterproductive).
A dorsal spinal neural network in cat. III. Dynamic nonlinear analysis of responses to random stimulation of single type 1 cutaneous input fibers
Authors: Craig A. D. , Tapper D. N.
Published: December 2017

The input/output characteristics of a subset of dorsal horn neurons in laminae 3 and 4 [( L3,4:SA1,X], see INTRODUCTION; output cells) of cat have previously been examined in the resting unperturbed condition using single or paired input pulses introduced once every three seconds on single slowly adapting type 1 (SA1) cutaneous mechanoreceptor afferent fibers (1, 27, 28). The present study extends this description to the dynamic condition by use of a random-stimulation method developed for the characterization of multiport pulse-input/pulse-output nonlinear systems. A total of 58 SA1 receptor input channels to 29 [L3,4:SA1,X] network output cells were tested individually in 15 spinal cats with several random train stimuli of differing mean input rates [5, 10, 20, 30, 50 pulses per second (pps)]. Simultaneous stimulation of two input channels with independent random trains was performed in 16 units. In each case, zero-, first-, and second-order descriptions of network behavior were obtained; the second-order characteristics of interest were expressed in the form of excitability functions, which are directly comparable with those obtained from condition-test results. Preliminary testing with multiple input pulses suggested that, in addition to the strong second-order effects previously identified, third- and higher-order nonlinearities and effects with long time constants could generate significant rate effects. Nonetheless, first-order response characteristics obtained in the dynamic condition at the lowest mean input rate used (5 pps) were in each case qualitatively identical, though slightly smaller in magnitude, to the poststimulus time histograms (PST) obtained in the unperturbed condition. Second-order excitability functions were generally, but not always, similar to condition-test results in the eight cases in which comparisons were made. Furthermore, use of a complete second-order characterization to predict the output response to a different random input in five cases resulted in an average correlation with the observed output that was a 50% improvement over the linear model predictions. These results indicate strong second-order and weaker higher-order nonlinearities in the [L3,4:SA1,X] network. Three classes of channel-specific second-order excitability characteristics were identified into which the previous descriptions (28) can be incorporated. The general pattern was initial facilitation followed by inhibition. This was observed for both the early and late response components in about half the channels (class I).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Simple- and complex-cell response dependences on stimulation parameters
Authors: Spitzer H. , Hochstein S.
Published: December 2017

We studied the response time course and amplitude dependence on stimulation parameters in cat cortical visual neurons to determine their receptive-field spatial-summation characteristics. Response poststimulus time (PST) histograms of cortical simple cells to contrast-reversal grating stimulation generally have a single peak for each stimulus temporal cycle, though the responses appear rectified. In response to contrast-reversal grating stimulation the general PST histogram time course for complex cells is two peaks, though often these peaks are of different amplitudes. The time course of complex-cell responses, and the ratio of these two response peaks often varies with stimulation parameters. The appearance of a single response peak in simple cells is reflected in the dominance of the odd harmonic Fourier portion, whereas the half-wave rectification leads to a considerable even harmonic portion. Still, this even portion is never significantly greater than the odd portion. When complex cell PST histograms have two nearly equal peaks, Fourier transformation reveals almost only even harmonic components. When the histogram contains two peaks of unequal amplitude Fourier analysis reveals large odd and even components. An even:odd Fourier harmonic portion ratio larger than 1 may be seen as a defining characteristic of complex cells, differentiating them from simple cells. Histograms with two unequal peaks appear "mixed," containing something of the "pure" single-peaked response and something of the pure double-peaked response. The degree to which the response is mixed may be measured by the ratio of the even:odd portion amplitudes. There is a great degree of variability with stimulation parameters (both spatial phase and spatial frequency) of the time course of mixed responses as opposed to the case of responses that have two equal peaks independent of stimulation grating phase and frequency. In both simple and complex cells there is a close coincidence of the spatial frequency ranges over which the even and odd portions are substantial, though many complex cells show a periodic variation of the even:odd portions ratio. This spatial-frequency dependence differs from that of LGN Y-cells where the odd portion dominates at low spatial frequencies and the even portion at high spatial frequencies. The ratio of even-to-odd portion cut-off is close to 3:1 in all Y-cells, a characteristic we did not find in cortical simple or complex cells. We suggest, therefore, that the nonlinearity of these complex cells does not derive from that of Y-cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Orientation sensitivity of the cat assessed from evoked potentials: central and peripheral contributions
Authors: Tootle J. S. , Berkley M. A.
Published: December 2017

To estimate contour-orientation sensitivity of the cat and the degree to which precortical processing contributes to such estimates, the amplitude of visually evoked potentials (VEP) recorded from the visual cortex of cats in response to a visual stimulus (S2) presented at various intervals after presentation of another visual stimulus (S1) was measured under several conditions. Recordings were made when both stimuli were presented through one eye (monoptic condition) or when S1 was presented to one eye and S2 to the other (dichoptic condition). In some experiments, simultaneous recordings were made from the optic tract and visual cortex. The stimuli were pairs of sinusoidal gratings with a spatial frequency of 0.5 cycles/deg and of various orientations. Each stimulus was presented by stepping the grating contrast from 0.0 (adapting field) to 0.5 for 50 ms. The intervals between the presentation of the two test stimuli (S1 and S2) was varied from 0 to 1,550 ms, and on different trials the orientation of the S2 grating relative to that of S1 was varied from 0 to 90 degrees. Results showed that under monoptic conditions, the VEP to the second stimulus (S2) was reduced by presentation of the first stimulus (S1) when the interstimulus interval was less than 200 ms, whereas under dichoptic conditions, the response to S2 was reduced with interstimulus intervals less than 75 ms. The response reduction was always in a forward direction (e.g., reduced S2 response), increased in magnitude with decreases in the interstimulus interval, and was larger under monoptic conditions than under dichoptic conditions. The response reduction produced monoptically was orientation selective in that it was greatest when the orientation of S1 and S2 was the same, and it recovered by half when the orientation differed by 6 to 15 degrees (orientation half-band pass). In some cortical recordings, the orientation-selective response reduction was superimposed on a response reduction that was not selective for S2 orientation. Stimultaneous recording in the optic tract also showed a response reduction of S2 response that was not orientation selective, suggesting that precortical neural elements contribute to the cortical VEP. With dichoptic stimulus presentation an orientation-nonspecific response reduction was obtained. We hypothesized that binocular inhibitory effects, resulting from disparate retinal input, produced this surprising finding. The results demonstrate that the VEP recorded at the cortex can be used to estimate orientation sensitivity, but that response interactions in peripheral (precortical) neural elements can contribute to such estimates.
Microstimulation of the primate neostriatum. I. Physiological properties of striatal microexcitable zones
Authors: Alexander G. E. , DeLong M. R.
Published: December 2017

Microstimulation was carried out at over 1,250 sites in the putamen in four unanesthetized rhesus monkeys. At numerous sites, microstimulation resulted in movements of individual body parts including leg, arm, and face. Microstimulation-evoked limb movements were invariably contralateral to the stimulating electrode. In nearly all instances, the response at threshold was restricted to or maximal about a single joint. A small percentage of stimulation-evoked axial and orofacial movements were bilateral. The same motor response was frequently evoked over distances of up to 1,200 micron along a single penetration, suggesting that a relatively homogeneous motor-response zone underlies the observed micro-stimulation effects. We have designated these presumptive functional units striatal microexcitable zones (SMZ). The boundaries of adjacent SMZ involved in different movements frequently appeared to overlap. Amplitude, velocity, and acceleration of microstimulation-evoked elbow movements were assessed quantitatively. With increasing stimulus current, each of these parameters increased monotonically until saturation occurred. The spread of intrastriatal microstimulation currents was found to be comparable to that reported for motor cortex. The effective radius of 40-microA putamen microstimulation currents was estimated to be approximately 150 micron. This effectively rules out the possibility of current spread to the internal capsule. Microstimulation effects were abolished by fiber-sparing lesions produced by microinjections of the neurotoxin ibotenic acid. Moreover, chronaxie measurements in putamen (327 +/- 47 microseconds) were significantly higher than for capsular stimulation (150 +/- 32 microseconds). These observations are consistent with the proposal that movements evoked by putamen microstimulation resulted from activation of putamen output neurons. On the other hand, a possible contribution from the antidromic activation of corticostriate afferent terminals or axons cannot be excluded.
Synaptic mechanisms of a tonic EPSP in crustacean visual interneurons: analysis and simulation
Authors: Waldrop B. , Glantz R. M.
Published: December 2017

Light-evoked synaptic responses of identified visual interneurons, sustaining fibers (SFs), were quantitatively analyzed, and a neuronal cable model was used to calculate voltage attenuations and predict synaptic responses. The cable model is based on morphological measurements of SFs filled with Lucifer yellow and passive membrane properties assessed by current injection in the proximal portion of the dendritic arbor. The morphological and electrophysiological measurements were made in different preparations on homologues of the same identified interneurons. The excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) elicited with high-intensity light consists of a transient phase (mean amplitude 33.1 mV) and a second phase (the plateau) that decays slowly relative to the membrane time constant (mean amplitude 24.4 mV). The mean extrapolated reversal potentials are -19.1 mV for the transient and -22.3 mV during the plateau. The change in input conductance associated with the plateau phase of the response showed a peak of 121% above the resting input conductance and decayed to approximately 50% above resting conductance over several seconds. Compartmental cable models (18, 19) were used to calculate voltage attenuations and local synaptic conductances within the SF dendritic tree. The dendrites are electrotonically compact, and voltage attenuations average 6% for current flowing distally from the recording site (injected) and 45% for current flowing proximally to the recording site. The steady-state EPSP is associated with a calculated 80% decrease in the net dendritic membrane resistivity. The synaptic response, calculated for an EPSP distributed throughout the dentritic tree (using this conductance change and the measured steady-state reversal potential) was 27.0 mV, compared with an observed mean value of 24.4 mV. The calculated relationship between steady-state EPSP amplitude and dendritic membrane resistivity (Rs) is a sigmoidal function that resembles the intensity/response function of the SF. We can therefore correctly predict the transformation from light intensity to compound EPSP amplitude by calculating the intervening synaptic membrane resistivity and voltage values. These functions are affected in a predictable manner by the passive membrane resistivity (Rm) and the EPSP reversal potentials. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) application abolished all SF spiking but left the EPSP essentially unchanged, suggesting that the neuronal pathway from photoreceptors to SFs is mainly or entirely comprised of nonspiking (i.e., TTX-insensitive) elements.
Contrast gain control in the kitten's visual system
Authors: Sclar G. , Ohzawa I. , Freeman R. D.
Published: December 2017

We have studied the effects of contrast adaptation on cortical cells from 4- and 6-wk-old kittens (49 and 47 cells, respectively) using sine-wave grating stimuli. We wished to know if the effects of adaptation to different contrast levels are more extensive than those in adult animals. Our experiments involved adapting cells to different contrasts (3.1, 12.5, and 50%) while concurrently measuring their contrast-response functions at each of these different levels. We found qualitatively that the effects of adaptation in the kitten are similar to those we have previously documented in adult animals (19). Contrast-response functions are laterally shifted along the log-contrast axis, effectively matching the response range of the cells to prevailing contrast levels. The degree to which this occurred varied from cell to cell. The average degree to which cells showed these effects, as assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively, was greater for kittens than for adult cats, and greater for 4-wk-old kittens than for those aged 6 wk. This suggests that susceptibility to adaptation varies as a function of age. Additional studies were undertaken with the intent of localizing these adaptive effects. First, lateral geniculate cells and fibers (n = 23) were studied with our standard protocol, and second, we investigated the degree to which the effects of adaptation of cortical cells transferred interocularly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Physiology of excitatory synaptic transmission in cultures of dissociated rat hippocampus
Authors: Rothman S. M. , Samaie M.
Published: December 2017

Cultures of dissociated rat hippocampal neurons were used to study the physiology and pharmacology of excitatory synaptic transmission. Rat hippocampal neurons depolarized when they were exposed to the excitatory transmitter candidates, glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp), as well as to the pure excitatory amino acid agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate (KA). Quisqualate (QUIS) produced responses in about two-thirds of these cells. Glu responses were much more effectively blocked by the excitatory amino acid antagonists cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) and gamma-D-glutamylglycine (DGG) than by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) or D-alpha-aminoadipic acid (DAA). Asp depolarizations were depressed by all four antagonists. Monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were only decreased by PDA and DGG. Postsynaptic responses to both Glu and Asp were very voltage dependent, decreasing as the membrane potential was hyperpolarized up to 70 mV below resting levels. The EPSP, however, increased linearly in the hyperpolarized range. NMDA responses were also voltage dependent, while KA and QUIS responses behaved like EPSPs. DGG very effectively blocked KA, but not QUIS, depolarizations. APV, which only partially depressed Glu responses, markedly diminished their voltage sensitivity. These results all suggest that EPSPs in this preparation are produced by Glu acting at KA-type synaptic receptors. Exogenous Glu probably acts at both synaptic KA receptors and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors, which explains why it produces a voltage-dependent response different from the EPSP.
Effects of single intracortical microstimuli in motor cortex on activity of identified forearm motor units in behaving monkeys
Authors: Palmer S. S. , Fetz E. E.
Published: December 2017

We examined the magnitude and extent of output effects elicited from focal cortical sites on the activity of individual motor units (MUs) by delivering single-pulse intracortical microstimuli (S-ICMS) (5-15 microA) during isometric wrist activity. Stimulation sites in the precentral gyrus (area 4) were chosen for study if stimulus-triggered averages (stimulus-TAs) of multiunit electromyograms (EMGs) revealed poststimulus facilitation (PStimF) of EMG activity in any of the coactivated wrist muscles. Single MUs were then isolated in the facilitated muscles with a remotely controlled tripolar microelectrode. MUs were identified by their signatures in their parent muscles (from MU-triggered averages of EMGs) and by their firing pattern during ramp-and-hold wrist responses. One objective was to quantify the magnitude and time course of the effects on single MUs by compiling peristimulus histograms of MU firing. The cross-correlation histograms between S-ICMS and MU action potentials showed peaks with onset latencies of 8.8 +/- 1.7 ms (mean +/- SD, n = 64) and durations of 1.8 +/- 1.2 ms (n = 104). The cumulative sums of the correlogram peaks resembled the rising phase of corticomotoneuronal excitatory postsynaptic potentials previously recorded in forelimb motoneurons. Comparison of correlogram peaks with stimulus-TAs of MU potentials suggests that the duration of PStimF of multiunit EMG can be accounted for, in approximately equal proportions, by l) the variation in firing time of single MUs (i.e., the width of the MU correlogram peaks), 2) the width of single MU potentials, and 3) the contribution of different MUs at different latencies. The sizes of the correlogram peaks relative to base line were larger than the PStimF of multiunit EMGs, and increased more rapidly with stimulus intensity, indicating appreciable cancellation in the multiunit records. A second objective was to determine whether S-ICMS affected all the MUs of a facilitated muscle, or only a particular subset. Of 104 MUs sampled in facilitated muscles, 99 (95%) were found to be individually facilitated (P less than 0.05). MU firing patterns during isometric ramp-and-hold torque responses were characterized as phasic, phasic-tonic, tonic, or decrementing; stimulation at a given cortical site was found to facilitate all four types of MUs. When more than one muscle showed PStimF from a site, MUs belonging to each of the facilitated muscles were facilitated individually by S-ICMS at that site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Intralimb coordination of the paw-shake response: a novel mixed synergy
Authors: Smith J. L. , Hoy M. G. , Koshland G. F. , Phillips D. M. , Zernicke R. F.
Published: December 2017

Intralimb coordination of the paw-shake response (PSR) was studied in five normal and eleven spinal adult cats. Representative extensor and flexor muscles that function at the hip, knee, and ankle joints were recorded, and in six spinal cats the kinematics of these joints were determined from high-speed cinefilm. The PSR was characterized uniquely by mixed (flexor-extensor) synergies. Knee extensor (VL) and ankle flexor (TA) coactivity constituted one synergy, while the second synergy included hip extensors (GM, BF), knee flexors (BF, LG), and ankle extensor (LG). Joint displacements reflected the mixed synergy. Motions at the knee and ankle were out of phase, while motions at the hip were in phase with movements of the knee. Electromyographic burst durations and onset latencies were similar for normal and spinal cats, and in all cycles of a given PSR, the recruitment pattern was consistent for all muscles, except VL. High variability and missing bursts marked the activity of VL in some spinal cats. In PSRs with missing VL bursts, oscillations at the knee joint were not coordinated with cyclic actions at the hip and ankle. From the kinematic records three distinct phases of the PSR were identified: start-up consisted of the initial four to six cycles during which hip, knee, and ankle actions progressively became organized; steady-state included the middle three to five cycles that were characterized by consistent displacement at all three joints; and slow-down comprised the last three to four cycles during which the rate of oscillations slowed, and joint excursions decreased. During steady-state cycles, muscle contractions acted to reverse joint motions at the knee and ankle joints. Thus, knee and ankle extensor recruitment coincided with joint flexion, while joint flexors were recruited during joint extension. Muscle activity at the hip, however, was in phase with displacement. While neural input to muscle is consistent throughout the three phases of the PSR, segment motions can become progressively organized during start-up to achieve stable oscillations. Whether the PSR attains steady-state or not may hinge on the sensitive interplay that occurs between muscle activities and intersegmental mechanical interactions. That kinetic interplay is detailed in the following paper.
Facilitation effect of auxiliary noise stimuli on response of isolated frog muscle spindle to sinusoidal movements
Authors: Querfurth H. , Grusser O. J.
Published: December 2017

Receptor potentials and impulse patterns were recorded from isolated frog muscle spindles using sinusoidal and superimposed random stretches as stimuli with different sinus-to-noise ratios. The entire dynamic amplitude range of the spindle receptor was evaluated by measuring the sensory response at different levels of static stretch. Auxiliary random stimuli provoked rectified fast depolarizing receptor potential transients; their amplitude and slope grew larger with increasing intensity of the noise stimulus and with increasing prestretch level. Due to this strongly nonlinear behavior of the transducing site the frequency and size of the receptor potentials evoked by the auxiliary input signal increased during the stretching phase of the sinusoidal movement. Since the fast depolarizing receptor potential transients provided a powerful trigger for the action potential encoding site, auxiliary random stimuli effectively enhanced the afferent discharge rate, especially during the stretching phase of the sinusoidal movement. Auxiliary noise stimuli could even activate the afferent discharge to an otherwise subthreshold sinusoidal stretch. It is assumed that by the same mechanism the transfer characteristic of the receptor is broadened towards higher frequencies. Since auxiliary random stimuli increased the nonlinear properties of all receptor response components, a "linearizing" approximation technique only partially describes the receptor's transfer properties. The facilitation effect recorded in the differentiated muscle spindle when random stimuli were superimposed on sinusoidal displacements closely resembled the excitation of afferent firing when passive stretching interacted with active fusimotor innervation. A hypothesis is proposed to explain both effects by the same mechanism acting upon the transducing sensory endings: Since passive random stretches as well as active twitching of the intrafusal muscle fibers exhibited almost the same range of frequency components, we propose that both stimuli also generate the same kind of receptor potentials; namely, those fast-rising depolarization transients of the receptor potential, which vigorously drive the encoding site. In general, these experiments explain how the specific response of a neuron can be facilitated by an additional unspecific (noisy) input.
Adaptive plasticity in primate spinal stretch reflex: persistence
Authors: Wolpaw J. R. , O'Keefe J. A. , Noonan P. A. , Sanders M. G.
Published: December 2017

Monkeys can gradually change the amplitude of the wholly segmental, largely monosynaptic, spinal stretch reflex (SSR) when confronted by a task requiring such change (15-19). Change develops over months and may reverse and redevelop at similarly slow rates. We investigated the persistence of SSR amplitude change over nonperformance periods of up to 38 days. Eight animals with chronic EMG electrodes learned to maintain elbow angle and a given level of biceps background EMG against constant extension torque. At random times, a brief additional extension torque pulse elicited the biceps SSR. In the control mode, reward always followed. Under the SSR increase or SSR decrease mode, reward occurred only if the absolute value of biceps EMG in the SSR interval was above or below a set value. Animals completed 3,000-6,000 trials/day over data-collection periods of 2-17 mo. Animals worked first under the control mode for up to 60 days and then under the SSR increase or SSR decrease mode for up to 274 days. Mode was switched once or twice more (SSR increase to SSR decrease or vice versa) over subsequent months. Animals responded to each SSR increase or SSR decrease mode exposure with gradual mode-appropriate change in SSR amplitude. Mode exposures were interrupted by gaps in performance of 10-38 days. Gaps produced transient 10- to 15% decreases in SSR amplitude under the control mode. This nonspecific decrease disappeared over the first week of postgap performance. Under the control mode, gaps had no other effects on SSR amplitude.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Excitatory amino acid transmitters in neuronal circuits of the cat visual cortex
Authors: Tsumoto T. , Masui H. , Sato H.
Published: December 2017

To test a possibility that glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) are transmitters in the visual cortex and to locate their operating sites in the cortical circuitry, we studied effects of microiontophoretic application of Glu/Asp antagonists on visual responses of cortical neurons in the cat. The antagonists tested were kynurenic acid (KYNA), cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid, and gamma-D-glutamylglycine. Among these antagonists, KYNA was most effective in blocking visual responses of cortical neurons; it eliminated visual responses in 156 of the 188 cells tested. Usually the maximal suppressive effect appeared 20-30 s after starting KYNA application and recovery of cell's responsiveness 30-60 s after stopping the application. KYNA antagonized excitations induced by ionophoretic application of Glu and Asp but did not block those by acetylcholine, suggesting that KYNA is a selective antagonist of Glu/Asp, and its action is not due to general depressant effects. This suggestion was further supported by the observation that in corticogeniculate cells the latency and probability of invasion of antidromic spikes into the somatodendritic part following electrical stimulation of the lateral geniculate were not changed while visual responses were completely suppressed by KYNA. In terms of actions of the three agonists which give the basis for classifying excitatory amino acid receptors into at least three types, KYNA antagonized excitations by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and kainate in almost all the cells tested but did not block those by quisqualate in about half of the cells. These results suggest that KYNA reacts more preferentially with NMDA and kainate receptors than with quisqualate receptors. Effectiveness of KYNA was related to types of receptive fields of cells and to their laminar locations. In 79 of the 104 simple cells tested, KYNA completely suppressed their visual responses, while such a complete block was seen in only 18 of the 68 complex and 3 of the 16 special complex cells. The great majority of the cells in layers IVab, IVc and the upper part of layer VI were completely suppressed by KYNA, whereas most of the cells in the other layers were incompletely suppressed or not suppressed at all.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)