Temporospatial organization of membrane-synaptic modifications and topograms of slow oscillations in cortical potentials during learning.

This report concerns the important question of the specificity of the organization of the different stages of formation of a conditioned reflex, considered at the level of membrane-synaptic modifications, which are compared with changes in the spatial organization of slow cortical potentials. A defined sequence of involvement of cellular mechanisms is demonstrated during learning, which may be responsible for various features of the spatial organization of slow cortical potentials. Changes in cellular excitability in cortical neurons are probably connected with oscillations in the overall level of instantaneous topograms and, thus, with the general level of spatial synchronization; the involvement of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connections (with efficiencies corresponding to different stages in the reflex) may determine the formation of the relief seen in topograms. Parameters at both levels depend on the effects of the hypothalamus on the cortex.