Some physiologic characteristics of the electrodermal reflex in the cat.

The amplitudes of electrodermal reflexes evoked in intact cats were compared under a variety of anesthetic conditions. Electrodermal reflexes were elicited in both decerebrate and spinal preparations with and without anesthesia. Reflex amplitude was significantly depressed in the anesthetized preparation after decerebration or spinal transection. In contrast, spinal transection performed after decerebration in unanesthetized preparations significantly increased the amplitude of the reflex. The evidence presented in this study supports the concept of a primarily inhibitory lower brainstem system with regard to this reflex. The relative stability of the reflex amplitude in the anesthetized cat suggests that this reflex system could be useful in the analysis of the effects of drugs acting on the central nervous system.