[Plastic changes of the network properties of neurons during learning in the cat]

Functional connections between neurones of various types in microareas and between microareas of the motor cortex in cats have been studied during elaboration of an electro-defensive reflex to sound. A difference has been shown between neighbouring neurones in formation of their contacts with nearby neurones located within an area of 500 mc. Neurones generating spikes of high amplitude had more active "outputs" to neurones situated at different distances, while neurones generating spikes of low amplitude had more active "inputs" to them. On the other hand, as a result of conditioning "inputs" to distant neurones underwent more significant changes in the first type of neurones, and in the second type--the "outputs" changed more markedly.