[Relationship between blood flow in the motor cortex and neuronal and total bioelectrical activity of the rabbit...

In unrestrained rabbits, the local blood flow (LBF), the unit activity in the motor cortex, the EEG, and the EMG of forelimbs were simultaneously recorded during different kinds of stimulation. The EEG arousal response and the increase in the firing rate of unspecific neurons were only followed by the increase in the LBF on adequate stimulation or movement, whereas on inadequate stimulation it was the decrease in the LBF. With the specific neurons, the increase or decrease in their firing rate corresponded either to enhancement or to reduction of the LBF on adequate and inadequate stimulation. The above correlations were only revealed at the normal functional state of the cerebral cortex. The energy expenditure of specific neurons is suggested to be the main factor in the mechanism for the LBF control.