[Interaction of excitatory foci and their complexes in the cerebral cortex]

Relations between excitation foci and their complexes in the cerebral cortex were studied in acute experiments on cats. Excitatory foci were produced by application of solutions of strychnine, penicillin and acetylcholine with prozerine in different concentrations. Two main types of interrelations were established: the determinant and the dominant ones. It was shown that a powerful excitation focus may enhance and synchronize the activity in weaker foci, integrate them in a single functional complex and determine the pattern of its activity (determinant relationships). It may also suppress the activity of previously created foci (dominant relations). The latter form of interrelations was observed either in the transitional stage during formation of the complex or it had an independent meaning. Such types of functional interrelations were observed both between separate foci and their complexes.