PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX IN RELATION TO CONSCIOUS SENSORY PERCEPTION IN MAN

摘要

The parameters of electrical stimuli which elicit a conscious sensation, when applied directly to the somatosensory cortex of a wake human subjects, have been analyzed and characterized quantitatively. The threshold parametric points, i.e., the specific combinations of values of the set of parameters tested which are just adequate to elicit a threshold response, could be established within usable limits, with a consistency of about 5 to 10% in the value of the threshold current under suitable experimental conditions. The parameters studied, utilizing rectangular pulses, included peak current (I), polarity of pulses, pulse duration (P.D.), pulse repetition frequency, train duration (T.D.), train repetition rate (T.R.R.), uni -and bipolar electrode arrangement, and area of electrode contact.