Correlation between the Activity of Dopaminergic Neurons of the Ventral Tegmentum and Spectral Power of the EEG Rhythms in Awake Cats

Abstract

We studied correlations between the frequency of background impulse activity (BIA) of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons of the ventral tegmentum (VT) and spectral power (SP) of the frequency components of EEG samples recorded in awake cats. The EEG was recorded monopolarly (electrodes were fixed in the cranial bones) from the frontal, occipital, and right and left temporal regions of the cortex. In a great majority of the cases, the BIA frequency of VT DA-ergic neurons demonstrated significant positive correlations with changes in the SPs of the alpha and beta EEG rhythms. The closest correlations of the spiking frequency of DA-ergic cells with the SP of the alpha rhythm was observed in the occipital region, while those with the beta SP were found in the frontal area. Correlations of the activity of DA-ergic neurons with the SPs of the alpha and beta rhythms in the left temporal cortical zone were closer, as compared with those in the symmetrical right zone. Correlations of the SPs of the delta, theta, and gamma EEG components with the discharge frequency of VT DA neurons were of opposite directions, and in most cases such correlations did not reach the level of significance. The results of this study show that, in some cases, specific EEG patterns can be considered indicators of the state of the cerebral VT DA-ergic system.

Changes in EEG Rhythms and Spike Activity of Brainstem Dopaminergic Neurons Induced by Neurofeedback Sessions in Cats

“…This can be manifested in the pattern of current EEG as an increase in the SPD of the alpha rhythm. In our earlier studies on animals, we found a positive correlation between the levels of the activity of DA neurons of the VT with the SPD of the above-mentioned alpha EEG component [5]. At the same time, we found no significant correlations of spiking of the above neurons with the theta rhythm SPD.…”

“…From this aspect, the effects of such procedures on the aminergic cerebral systems deserve special attention. These systems, as is known, play a key role in the initiation and control of some crucially important behavioral phenomena, and the state of these systems specifically correlates with the characteristics of definite EEG rhythms [3][4][5]. In our earlier studies [5], we demonstrated in cats that the activity of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmentum (VT) manifests significant positive correlation with the spectral power density (SPD) of the alpha EEG rhythm.…”

“…These systems, as is known, play a key role in the initiation and control of some crucially important behavioral phenomena, and the state of these systems specifically correlates with the characteristics of definite EEG rhythms [3][4][5]. In our earlier studies [5], we demonstrated in cats that the activity of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmentum (VT) manifests significant positive correlation with the spectral power density (SPD) of the alpha EEG rhythm. Considering this, it is logical to suppose that changes in the state of DA neurons of the VT should play a definite role in the formation of the effects of neurofeedback sessions.…”

EEG Correlates of Anxiety and Emotional Stability in Adult Healthy Subjects

“…As a result, adaptive abilities of the CNS increase, and excessive levels of personal and situational anxiety decrease. As to the neural mechanisms of these effects, the results of studies of the interrelations between the EEG characteristics and the frequency of spiking of neurons localized in a few brainstem structures in cats allowed us to suppose the following [25]. Neurofeedback training directed toward an increase in the alpha rhythm SPD results in intensification of the activity of the cerebral dopaminergic system, in particular of its part localized in the ventral tegmentum.…”