[Effect of stimulation of the locus coeruleus and adjacent portions of the brain stem on inhibition of segmental reflexes].

Rhythmic stimulation of locus coeruleus and neighbouring regions of the pontine reticular formation diminished the inhibitory action from high-threshold spinal cutaneous and muscular afferents on the extensor monosynaptic reflex in anesthetized decerebellized cats. After preliminary reserpine treatment the effects evoked by locus coeruleus stimulation were selectively depressed while those from neighbouring regions of the brain stem remained unchanged. A selective depression of the effect in a reserpine treated animals suggests the monoaminergic nature of the effect.