[Neuronal correlates of forward and backward conditioned connections in a food-getting reflex formed to electrical stimulation of the lateral geniculate body].

Neuronal activity of the visual cortex was studied in unrestrained cats with a stable food-procuring conditioned reflex to electrical stimulation of the lateral geniculate body (LGB), and in tests with presentation of a feeding trough to detect neuronal signs of backward conditioned connections. Two types of responses of the visual cortex neurones were established during manifestation of a forward conditioned connection: conditioned-inhibitory and conditioned-activating responses. Extinction of the conditioned reflex destroyed the neuronal pattern formed in the visual cortex; this correlated with the behavioral reflex extinction. It has been shown that neuronal signs of the backward conditioned connection are similar to the neuronal responses in the examined cortical areas corresponding to the forward conditioned connection.