[Characteristics of habituation in visceral systems].

In anesthetized and immobilized cats, habituation of evoked responses to repeated stimulation of the splanchnic nerve occurred in the cerebral cortex. Upon cessation of the stimulation, the habituation waned spontaneously (spontaneous recovery). The rate of spontaneous recovery depended on number of habituating stimuli (effect of "below-zero"). Repeated series of habituation training produced a more rapid habituation of EPs (potentiation of habituation). An extrastimulus to cutaneous or splanchnic nerve leads to recovery of the evoked response (dehabituation or sensitization). Repeated application of the dehabituating stimulus produced a progressively lesser sensitization (habituation of dehabituation).