THE INFLUENCE OF HYPOTHERMIA ON THE RESTORATION OF NEURAL ACTIVITY OFBRAIN-SLICES FROM HIBERNATING GROUND-SQUIRRELS

1. Neural activity was recorded in hippocampal slices from deep hibern ating Yakut ground squirrels and in hippocampal and septal slices from non-hibernating animals. 2. Slices were placed immediately after prep aration in hypothermic conditions (3-4 degrees C). Their activity was tested under standard conditions at 31 degrees C in the incubation cha mber. Some of the prepared slices were tested after maintenance in hyp othermia for 2 or 24 h. 3. In the hippocampal slices of hibernating gr ound squirrels, neural activity was present, irrespective of the perio d in hypothermia. 4. Slices from guinea-pigs and hamsters did not poss ess neural activity after either 2 or 24 h of hypothermic treatment. C opyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.