Cerebral blood flow and behavior during brain stimulation in the goat

Cerebral blood flow, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and behavior were studied in conscious goats during electrical stimulation of the diencephalon and mesencephalon. Stimulation of the subthalamic area produced a considerable increase in ipsilateral cerebral blood flow and heart rate, accompanied by either a small or a large increase in systemic arterial blood pressure. Cardiovascular effects were associated with changes in alertness. The increase in cerebral blood flow was partially abolished by previous administration of atropine directly into the internal maxillary artery. Stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation caused a marked increase in blood pressure with no change or with some decrease in cerebral blood flow. After administration of phentolamine into the internal maxillary artery, stimulation produced increase in cerebral blood flow. The behavioral response consisted of restlessness and attempted flight. These results suggest the existence of cholinergic vasodilator and adrenergic vasoconstrictor pathways to cerebral blood vessels that may be stimulated electrically.