MECHANICAL, THERMAL, AND OPTICAL SIGNS OF EXCITATION IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

自1989年10月以来，我们主要集中在调查 “扩散性抑制”现象的物理化学性质， 脊椎动物的中枢神经系统主要研究者 在他访问德国期间，对这一现象兴趣大大增加 （九月二十八日至十月一日）出席一个研讨会， 现象进行了广泛的讨论。我们用蟾蜍的视网膜来测试 或不可能记录该现象的热信号。如公 已知，视网膜电位的局部变化与 这种现象持续约一分钟，并沿沿着 视网膜表面的速度为1-2/mm/min。由于缓慢的 我们必须克服许多困难， 热传感器，其能够记录伴随视网膜的热变化， 扩散性抑郁症在成功建造了几种类型的 为此目的的热探测器，我们发现，扩散抑制是 伴随着相对较大的热量产生，约15 峰值时每分钟的卡路里。这种正热的初始阶段 生产之后是一个长期的极端可变的负热阶段 生产我们现在正试图作出全面的解释 的现象，包括所有或没有引出的现象， 电和光刺激，存在时间长5-15分钟） 不应期和碰撞现象的湮灭。 我们对骨骼肌运动终板产热的研究 与脉冲传输相关的肌肉仍然不完整。我们 计划很快恢复蟾蜍肌肉的热量测量

Since October of 1989, we have concentrated primarily on investigation into the physicochemical nature of the phenomenon of "spreading depression" in the vertebrate central nervous system. The principal investigator's interest on this phenomenon was greatly enhanced during his trip to Germany (September 28 - October 1) to attend a symposium where the nature of this phenomenon was discussed extensively. We used toad retinas to test whether or not it is possible to record thermal signs of the phenomenon. As is well known, the local change in the electric potential of the retina associated with the phenomenon lasts for about one minute and spreads along the retinal surface at a speed of 1-2/mm/min. Because of the slowness of the phenomenon, we had to overcome a number of difficulties in constructing a heat sensor capable of recording thermal changes accompanied by the retinal spreading depression. After successful construction of several types of thermal detectors for this purpose, we found that spreading depression is accompanied by a relatively large production of heat, about 15 millicalories per minute at the peak. This initial phase of positive heat production was followed by a long phase of extremely variable negative heat production. We are now attempting to formulate a comprehensive explanation of the phenomenon, including all-or-none elicitation of the phenomenon by electric and optical stimuli, the existence of a long 5-15 minute) refractory period and annihilation of the phenomenon by collision. Our investigation of heat production by the motor endplates of the skeletal muscle associated with impulse transmission is still incomplete. We are planning to resume heat measurements on toad muscles shortly.