[Effect of polarization of different levels of the visual and motor analyzers on instrumental conditioned reflexes in dogs].

Dogs with stabilized instrumental conditioned reflexes of tonic form to a bell and flickering light, exhibited a depression or complete inhibition of the reflexes after a short anode polarization of the lateral geniculate body (LGB). Polarization of the superior colliculi exerted a similar influence but to a lesser degree. Prolonged polarization of the visual cortex completely inhibited conditioned reflexes to light at the very first or second minute of its action. The degree of inhibition depended on the current intensity, the area of its action and the functional state of the animal. Polarization of the sensorimotor cortex resulted in a delay and often in complete inhibition of the instrumental reflexes. Polarization of the red nucleus also inhibited the reflexes. Evoked potentials recorded from the LGB, the superior colliculi and the visual cortex underwent considerable changes (decrease of the primary response and disappearance of the secondary response) after polarization of the sensorimotor cortex.