Theta (RSA) activity in the brain of the turtle.
The existence of a synchronizing system generating theta (RSA) activity of an average frequency of 4 Hz has been demonstrated in the brain of the turtle Testudo Graeca. Three brain structures probably participate in the activity--the septum, amygdala and hippocampus. The septal region seems to play a leading role in this complex--lesions in this region abolished the generation of theta activity in 71% of experiments. This synchronizing system is functionally coupled with the olfactory generator of electrographic respiratory response (ERR), which is brought into activity by nasal air flow. This coupling can play a role in genesis of epileptic electrographic activities not only in the turtle, but also in phylogenetically higher species.
D000388:Air; D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013826:Theta Rhythm; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*
D010406:Penicillins