Sensitivity of "silent" and background-active neurons of the cat cortex to anoxia.

Using a complex methodological approach based on intravitam microscopy of a specimen of the motor region of the cat cortex, we studied the relations between the variation in the bioelectric activity of the pyramidal neurons and the state of their redox systems for short-term anoxia. A general pattern of reaction of "silent" and background-active neurons is disclosed, whereby activation according to the "seizure discharges" type occurs for a certain, quite strongly expressed destruction of the state of the intracellular redox systems. With the development of the incipient stage of variation of the impulse activity in the background-active neurons no marked increase was found in the degree of restoration of their redox systems.