Abstract
1. The effect of single shock stimulation of the cerebral peduncle on the excitability of the Betz cell was studied in locally anesthetized and immobilized cats.
2. The peduncular stimulation produced a prolonged depression of the excitability of the Betz cell.The latency of the depression was a few msec and its duration of 50-100 msec.
3. Even such a weak stimulus as failed to fire the Betz cell could produce the depression.
4. The depression failed to appear following long lasting repetitive stimulation of the peduncle at a rate of 100/sec.
5. Subconvulsive doses of strychnine abolished the depression.
6. From these findings it was concluded that the depression represent recurrent inhibition of the Betz cell.
