REFLEX REGULATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOUR,
Abstract
The afferent modulation of the central nervous mechanisms regulating conscious behavior is discussed and compared to the effects of afferent and brain stem stimulation on the emotional behavior of diencephalic origin. The electroencephalographic synchronization and sleep induced by stimulating the carotid sinus baroceptors in encephale isole or intact animals is paralleled by the inhibition of the spontaneous sham rage outburst of the decorticate cat by natural baroceptive stimulation; on the other hand, the carotid body chemoceptors do not only exert an arousing action, but are also capable of precipitating sham rage fits in the decorticate cat. As in encephale isole or intact animals suitably timed reticular stimuli may induce either desynchronization and arousal, or synchronization and sleep, likewise rage fits may either be evoked or inhibited by electrical stimulation within the reticular formation. Finally, the rage behavior of the decorticate cat depends, like cortical desynchronization and wakefulness in intact animals, upon a tonic background of ascending reticular activity. It is suggested that identical, or closely related, mechanisms may affect both conscious alert behavior and several somatic and visceral activities, such as those subserving emotional behavior. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0617633
Entities
People
- A. Malliani
- A. Zanchetti
- M. Guazzi
Organizations
- University of Siena