[Effect of serotonin and acetylcholine on the electrical activity of isolated cortex in the rabbit].

Neuronal isolation of the rabbit's cerebral hemisphere shifts the EEG spectrum in direction of slower processes. Application of acetylcholine on the cortex elicits EEG activation and appearance of the theta-rhythm. Initially serotonin application is accompanied by the appearance of the theta-rhythm periods; in the process of subsequent administration of the drug these periods are gradually substituted by slow delta-waves. Combined application of serotonin and acetylcholine on isolated cortex elicits bursts of high-amplitude activity, abruptly substituted by "silence" phases. In contrast to the intact cortex where serotonin elicited prolonged and rhythmic alternation on EEG of phases of high-amplitude activity and of "silence" periods, in the isolated cortex the bursts of activity of about 1 min duration appeared only after application of the acetylcholine to serotonin-saturated cortex. Repeated phases of activation were either absent or were of short duration and extinguished rapidly.