A method to record changes in local neuronal discharge in response to infusion of small drug quantities in awake monkeys.

A newly designed combination microelectrode-injection system is described which can be used to record electrophysiological responses of individual neurons in the primate brain to local administration of small quantities of drugs or other compounds. The assembly of the system is simple, and the materials used are inexpensive. The system consists of a standard tungsten microelectrode alongside fused silica tubing within a polyimide sleeve.

Neuronal activity in the primate substantia nigra pars reticulata during the performance of simple and memory-guided elbow movements.

The basal ganglia participate in motor functions and are implicated in the pathophysiology of movement disorders. It has been shown in primates that the activity of many neurons in one of the basal ganglia output nuclei, the internal segment of the globus pallidus, changes with active or passive movements. The involvement of the second major output nucleus, the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), in movement is less well established.