Antidromic Activation of Neurones of the Reticular Formation of the Brain Stem

Abstract

ALTHOUGH much evidence has accumulated concerning the part played by the reticular formation of the brain stem in the regulation of spinal and cerebral activities (see ref. 1), there are still many gaps in our knowledge of the detailed mechanisms involved. For example, it is not yet possible to say with certainty whether particular afferent pathways to the reticular formation exert their effects predominantly on neurones having ascending, descending or short axons. The work reported here shows that reticular neurones can be identified, through the use of intracellular recording techniques, by antidromic activation. It is hoped that in future work the details of the pathways to and from the reticular formation can be worked out, using this method, in greater detail than hitherto possible.