[Spike responses of sensomotor cortex neurons to isolated and combined stimulation of thalamic nuclei]

Simultaneous records of spike activity of several neighbouring neurones in the cat sensorimotor cortex have shown that isolated single stimulations of the thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL) produce in different units of one and the same cortical microarea impulse responses visibly differing by their latencies and general pattern of discharges. These initially different reactions underwent pronounced changes under the action of combined stimulation of the VPL and the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus (VL). Ordinarily such changes were oppositely directed: enhancement of reactions of certain neurones was developing parallel with diminished activity of others of the same cortical microarea.