Studies of Neurons of Rat's Sensory Cortex. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Resting and action potentials were recorded intracellularly from neurons of rat sensory cortex. Resting membrane potentials in most of the neurons were found to be 25–60 mv but a few cells had potentials of 60–80 mv. Action potentials of spontaneously firing cortical neuron as well as those evoked by thalamic stimulation were not more than 50 mv in amplitude. d-Tubo-curarine chloride applied locally to the cortical surface did not modify evoked discharges of single cortical neuron nor resting membrane potentials significantly, though there was a marked change in evoked response recorded simultaneously from the surface or by a larger microelectrode from deeper layers of the cortex. d-Tubocurarine sometimes induced neurons to fire “spontaneously”but only during its application to the cortex.