Single unit activity in the visual cortex during conditioning in cats

Abstract

Multiple neuronal activity, recorded through chronically implanted electrodes, was analyzed. During acquisition and consolidation of alimentary conditioned reflexes to electrostimulation of the lateral geniculate body or optical tract, the patterns of neuronal activity in the visual cortex and sensory motor cortex became organized in a way different from that observed during pseudoconditioning. The majority of the neurons showed change in activity during both the isolated action of the stimuli and their simultaneous presentation. In stabilized conditioned reflexes, the activity of neurons in the sensory motor and visual cortex was interdependent. Neuronal indices of backward conditioned connections during activation of the reinforcing structures were analogous to the reactions of visual cortical neurons during the conditioned stimulus action and were manifested by an increase of discharge activity.