[Descending and ascending influences on zona incerta neurons]

The characteristics of neuronal activity of the Zona Incerta were compared after stimulation of the amygdala and central grey substance in acute experiments with rats. It is shown that the central grey substance stimulation produced activation in 86% neurons; the amygdaloid stimulation--inhibition in 64%. The convergence of impulses from the amygdala and central grey substance was observed in 58 of 174 reactive neurons. 57% of cells showed antagonistic convergent effects. Functional interrelations in system amygdala--Zona Incerta--central grey substance and the role of the antagonistic influences descending from the amygdala and ascending from central grey substance on neurons of the Zone Incerta are discussed.