Open AccessReticular activating system of a central pattern generator: premovement electrical potentials
Author(s) -
Tapia Jesus A.,
Trejo Argelia,
Linares Pablo,
Alva J. Manuel,
Kristeva Rumyana,
Manjarrez Elias
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.1002/phy2.129
Subject(s) - reticular connective tissue , neuroscience , reticular formation , cats , central nervous system , biology , anatomy , medicine
Abstract For the first time, here we characterize a bulbar reticular activating system ( RAS ) of neurons in decerebrate, deafferented and decerebellated cats producing a premovement electrical potential that we named obex slow potential ( OSP ). The OSP occurs about 0.8 ± 0.4 sec prior to the onset of a fictive‐scratching‐episode. Here, we describe two classes of bulbar neurons, off‐on, which are silent but exhibit a 80 ± 56 Hz firing discharge at the beginning of (and during) the OSP , and on‐off interneurons, with a 27 ± 14 Hz firing activity that stops at the beginning of (and during) the OSP . We suggest that these OSP ‐associated neurons belong to a descending RAS, which contributes to the activation of the spinal central pattern generators.