Locus Coeruleus, Vigilance and Stress: Brain Mechanisms of Adaptive Behavioral Responsiveness
Abstract
The work has been going quite well. We find that the phasic activation of LC cells by target cues in our vigilance task does not occur during epochs of high tonic LC activity, which also corresponds with poor performance (longer latency bar responses and more false alarms). These results lead us now to speculate that the phasic responses of LC neurons to targets may help in discrimination between target and non-target cues (d'), while the elevated tonic activity may increase the overall tendency of the animal to respond behaviorally to any stimulus (B). We also have some preliminary data indicating that activation of LC with pilocarpine decreases attentiveness to the task (as measured by fixation frequency). Finally, we are finding close relationships between LC activity and pupil diameter during the task, revealing a close correspondence with autonomic arousal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA265724
Entities
People
- Gary Aston-jones