Differences between Cortical Recruiting Responses observed during Wakefulness and Natural Sleep

Abstract

IN 1942, Morison and Dempsey¹ demonstrated that low-frequency stimulation (8–12 c/s) of the intralaminar thalamic nuclei of the anæsthetized cat diffusely evoked recruiting responses on the cerebral cortex. These long-latency, large surface-negative responses are distributed widely over the hemispheres and reach their maximal size after repetitive shocks. Long-continued stimulation at appropriate frequencies leads to a periodic waxing and waning of these potentials.