Participation of adrenergic mechanisms in the genesis of the cortical brain electrical activity.

The changes both in the spontaneous and in the evoked electrical activity of the somatosensory cortex, occurring after local or systematic administration of chlorpromazine, have been studied on 36 cats. The neuroleptic used weakens both the spontaneous cortical electrical activity and that induced by stimulation of n. radialis and of MRF. The potentials evoked by stimulation of VPL do not change. Systematic administration of chlorpromazine causes analogous changes in the electrical activity of the somatosensory cortex. Stimulation of n. radialis and MRF, though not of VPL, results in a sharp increase in the activity of the adenylate cyclase in the somatosensory cortex. Local administration of chlorpromazine leads to statistically significant less marked increase in response to applied stimulations of the adenylate cyclase activity. The results obtained substantiate the assumption that adrenergic neurones participate in the formation both of the spontaneous and of the induced electrical activity in the somatosensory cortex of cats.