Abstract
The influence of eserine and of amphetamine on the cerebral electrical activity was studied on unanesthetized non-curarized rabbit, and on the "cerveau isolé" preparation of this animal.
Both eserine and amphetamine produce acceleration and desynchronization of the EEG waves. However, certain significant differences in their action on electrical potentials of the brain have been demonstrated.
Eserine produces a more intense and widespread desynchronization than amphetamine, blocks the cortical recruiting response obtained by stimulation of the antero medial nuclei of the thalamus, and also the spike-wave complexes which follow the injection of pentylenetetrazol. It antagonizes the synchronization due to scopolamine.
Amphetamine exerts its desynchronizing influence mainly in the frontal cortex, the occipital leads showing slow waves of high voltage. It does not block the recruiting response; it does not abolish the spike waves due to pentylenetetrazol; and it does not influence the synchronization after the administration of scopolamine.
Possible loci of action of the two drugs are discussed.
Footnotes
- Received December 24, 1956.
- © 1957 by The Williams & Wilkins Co.
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