Nitrogen Narcosis and Visual Evoked Responses in the Unanesthetized Cat
Abstract
Four cats were chronically implanted with gross, monopolar electrodes in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), pretectum-superior colliculus (P-SC), primary visual cortex (VI), and secondary visual cortex (VII). After an adequate recovery period, and following preliminary testing, the cats were exposed to the sea water equivalent of 340 feet in a dry pressure chamber. It was found that no decrements in the amplitude of the visual evoked response occurred at the LGN, but that significant decreases did occur at all other sites. These data were interpreted as evidence that the effects of inert gas narcosis on the visual system are primarily central, and not simply peripheral in nature; that these effects are not limited to the visual cortical mantle; and that the narcosis apparently influences the neural activity of brain structures involving several anatomical levels of the brain which mediate several types of visual processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 12, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0775683
Entities
People
- Raymond T. Bartus
Organizations
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory