Role of hyperactive determinant structures in the creation of functional complexes of seizure activity in the cerebral cortex.

Foci of enhanced excitability, with independent discharge patterns, were created by subconvulsive strychninization in experiments on cats. A focus of more powerful excitation created with the same strychnine played the role of determinant despatch station (DDS). Its importance is that it determines the character of activity of the other foci of excitation, strengthens excitation in them, combines them into a single functional complex, and determines the character of activity of the whole complex. This complex can be destroyed by suppressing the DDS with pentobarbital. Blocking individual destination stations included in the complex does not lead to its destruction.