[Effect of electric stimulation of the cat orbital cortex on the wakefulness-sleep cycle]

The 6-hour-long continuous electric stimulation of the cat orbital cortex in chronic experiments induced an increased frequency of the spindle-like activity, on the one hand, and the prolongation of slow and paradoxical sleep phases on the average by 25-30% and 3-5%, respectively, at the expense of the reduction of wakefulness and drowsiness periods by 20-25% and 10-15%, respectively, on the other hand. A supposition is advanced that the inhibition of wakefulness and prolongation of the sleep are due to the enhancement of the facilitating impulsation from the orbital cortex to the somnogenic system of the brain. At the same time, the wakefulness system of the brain is most probably inhibited additionally, promoting facilitation of the sleep development.