The Role of Acetylcholine in the Cognitive Function of Frontal Neurons in Monkeys

To study the role of acetylcholine(ACh) in the cognitive function of frontal lobes, ACh and atropine were applied iontophoretically to the task-related neurons recorded from an area around the superior ramus of arcuate sulcus in the frontal cortex of 4 rhesus monkeys during the performance of two tasks. The spontaneous discharges and taskrelated responses of most of the neurons which increased their discharge rate in the delay and differentiation periods of the discrimination response go/no-go task and in the cue and delay periods of the delayed discrimination go/no-go task, were further increased during the application of ACh and suppressed during atropine. These results suggest that ACh may be involved in the excitatory process of the activity of the neurons in the above-mentioned area of frontal cortex to play an important role in the cognitive functions of attention, discrimination and short-term memory.     

乙酰胆硷在猕猴额叶神经元认知功能中的作用

本文为研究乙酰胆硷在大脑额叶认知功能中的作用,在4只猕猴进行作业操作时,在额叶弓状沟上支周围皮层区记录了作业相关神经元的电活动,观察了微量电泳乙酰胆硷和阿托品的效应。在辨别反应作业的延缓期和辨别期,和在延缓辨别作业的暗示期和延缓期放电增多的神经元,绝大多数在电泳乙酰胆硷时自发放电增多,作业相关反应增强。电泳阿托品则出现相反的效应。实验结果提示,大脑额叶弓状沟上支周围区神经元在实现其注意、辨别和短期记忆等认知功能中,乙酰胆硷可能起着重要作用,而且主要参与神经活动的兴奋过程。     

大脑额叶神经元在痛觉和针剌镇痛中的作用

本文为研究大脑额叶神经元在痛觉和针刺镇痛中的作用,设计了两套痛辨别作业,即痛辨别反应作业(作业Ⅰ)和痛延缓辨别作业(作业Ⅱ),对4只成年猕猴(Macaca mulatta)进行了实验研究。待动物学会了上述作业并进行操作的同时,引导额叶单个神经元放电。在作业Ⅰ中记录了276个作业相关神经元,其中有211个对痛和/或热刺激起反应.在作业Ⅱ中记录了73个作业相关神经元,其中有59个对痛和/或热刺激起反应。电针穴位可使动物的痛反应时延长,作业的操作正确率降低,神经元对痛刺激和热刺激的反应都有不同程度的减弱。这些神经元主要集中在大脑额叶弓状沟上支内侧的前额叶与运动前区皮层交界处。实验结果表明,痛觉刺激可以投射到大脑额叶,引起神经元活动的变化。这些神经元的机能可能与对伤害性刺激和非伤害性刺激的辨别有关。针刺对这些神经元的抑制作用,可能降低机体对伤害性刺激的辨别能力,从而有利于镇痛效应的产生。     

THE ROLE OF FRONTAL NEURONS IN PAIN AND ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA

To study the role of frontal neurons in pain and acupuncture analgesia, experiments were carried out on 4 monkeys (Macaca mulatta) during performing two tasks, the Heat Discrimination Response GO/NO-GO Task (Task Ⅰ) and the Heat Delayed Discrimination GO/NO-GO Task (Task Ⅱ). After a criterion of 90% of correct performances over three successive days had been reached, activity of single neurons was recorded from the frontal cortex. Of 276 Task Ⅰ-related neurons, 211 responded to noxious and/or innocuous heat stimuli. Of 73 Task Ⅱ-related neurons, 59 responded to noxious and/or innocuous heat stimuli. During acupuncture, the nociceptive reaction time for lever release to avoid painful stimuli was increased, the percentage of correct performances was lowered, and the neuronal responses to noxious and/or innocuous stimuli were suppressed. These neurons were mainly located in a circumscribed area medial to the superior ramus of the arcuate sulcus in frontal cortex, including the prefrontal and premotor a