Action Potentials in the Cerebral Cortex

Abstract

MONOPHASIC action potentials of little more than 1 m.sec. duration and of up to 35 mV. amplitude have been recorded from the cerebral cortex of the cat and the rabbit. The steel micro-electrodes used were reduced electrolytically^1,2 to a shaft diameter of about 100µ, copper plated, and insulated with varnish to the tip, which was platinized and of less than 5µ diameter. Such electrodes of about 5 mm. length were mounted to project 0.5–2.0 mm. from small ‘Perspex’ squares, and flexibly connected to a high-impedance input stage and D.C. amplifier³.