Influence of norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and their blockers on the activity of cortical neurons in goal-directed behavior.

The neurochemical mechanisms of the central organization of sequential stages in the formation of a goal-directed behavioral act were investigated by means of the microiontophoretic application of biologically active substances to individual neurons of the cerebral cortex of cats. It was demonstrated that the dynamics of the discharge activity of the neurons at particular stages of the behavioral act exhibited a contradictory character when neuromediators and their antagonists were applied. At the same time, differences in the impulse activity were more pronounced against the background of the application of propranolol and atropine than of norepinephrine and acetylcholine.