Effects of Limbic System upon Photic Evoked Potentials in Rabbits.

Abstract

It has been well known that the limbic system plays an important role in behavioral and emotional disorders. In relation to this concept, the effects of limbic stimulation upon photic evoked potentials were investigated.
Sixty-five rabbits were imm obilized by succinylcholine chloride, and respiration was artificially maintained. Electrodes were stereotaxically implanted in septum, hippocampus, amygdala, lateral geniculate body, superior colliculus and visual cortex. Twenty repeated evoked responses were averaged by average transient computer (ATAC).
Photic potentials evoked in bilateral visual cortex and later al geniculate body were accentuated or suppressed by preceding stimulation of septum. Preceding stimulation of hippocampus also facilitated or inhibited photic evoked potentials in bilateral visual cortex and lateral geniculate body. Amygdala had facilitatory effects on photic evoked potentials in bilateral visual cortex and lateral geniculate body. However, these interactions disappeared in association with intravenous barbiturate injection and in cerveau isole rabbits. These results clarify behavioral disorders concomitant with limbic irritation and also certify that the mesencephalic reticular formation takes an important part of these interactions.