Abstract
Spontaneous activity of single cells in hypothalamic islands and their modification by cortisol were studied in rats. Hypothalamic deafferentiation produced a significant increase in the mean rate of firing of the units. When the firing was compared in two groups of cells in hypothalamic islands, of non-treated and cortisol-treated rats, no significant differences were found. However, when the firing was analysed in individual neurones for longer periods, both before and following cortisol administration, significant changes in the rate and pattern of discharge were found, indicating that the hormone has a direct effect on hypothalamic neurones. The most prominent effect was an initial reduction in the rate of discharge and this may possibly be related to a decrease in corticotropin releasing factor activity produced by corticosteroids at hypothalamic levels.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 67-75 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Brain Research |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 29 Sep 1970 |
| Externally published | Yes |