Autonomic response to cerebellar stimulation in the decorticate cat

Abstract

The cerebral cortex and basal nuclei were removed under intravenous thiopental anesthesia in 63 cats. Beginning 2–3 hr after the final injection of thiopental, the cerebellar cortex was stimulated with bipolar stainless steel electrodes, with isolation of current to the cortex immediately beneath the electrodes. Parameters of the biphasic square wave stimulus were: current density 1.0–3.71 ma/mm2, pulse duration 1.0 msec, frequency 200 cycle/sec, train duration 7–15 sec. Elevation and depression of bladder pressure, constriction and dilatation of the pupil, elevation of blood pressure, and retraction of the nictitating membrane were obtained at P values of <10–7 to <10–10. Responsive areas included lobus simplex, ansiform lobule, paramedian lobule and vermis.