Cardiorespiratory effects of electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus in cats

Increase in the arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) was regularly evoked by electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus (GP) in awake, freely moving cats. The somatomotor responses to GP stimulations consisted of either slow movements, localized mainly on the head, or contraversive circling. Both the peak and the shape of the BP curve were related to the stimulus intensity. Stimulations repeated under blockade of the adrenergic alpha-receptors failed to increase BP whereas the somatomotor responses occurred as in drug-free animals. Intra-arterious injection of procaine did not interfere with the electrically elicited elevation of BP. GP stimulations also caused arterial blood pressure changes under chloralose anesthesia. It is concluded that the globus pallidus has a role in connecting somatomotor activities with the appropriate cardiorespiratory changes.