The effects of activation of glutamate ionotropic connections of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex in a conditioned reflex.

Changes in conditioned reflex spike activity of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex were studied during microiontophoretic application of agonists and antagonists of glutamate and GABAergic transmission. The results of these experiments showed that the glutamate ionotropic receptors (AMPA and NMDA) of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex were intensely activated by the arrival of a conditioned signal in the cortex. This response included not only large pyramidal neurons of the deep cortical layers, but also the surrounding inhibitory interneurons.

[Activation of glutamate ionotropic connections of sensorimotor cortex neurons during conditioning].

Changes in conditioned impulse reactions of neurons in sensorimotor cortex were studied during microiontophoretic application of glutamatergic and GABA ergic agonistic and antagonistic drugs. It was shown that ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA) are activated by a conditioned stimulus. Not only large pyramidal neurons of deep cortical layers but surrounding short-axon inhibitory interneurons are involved in the reaction.