Effect of blocking the central cholinergic synaptic systems on resistance of the cerebral cortex to asphyxia and ischemia

Sixty six experiments were staged on cats by a specially elaborated method under intratracheal automatic ether-air anesthesia with controlled breathing. Out of this number 44 experiments were done with asphyxia (in 10 experiments of this series the ether supply was switched off) and 22 with ischemia (occlusion of the ascending aorta). EEG, ECG and arterial blood pressure were recorded. Metamysil block of the central muscarine-like cholinergic synaptic systems increased the resistance of the cortex to asphyxia and ischemia. The effect of nicotine-like cholinolytics (difacil, gangleron) structures by nivalin, an anticholinesterase agent, inhibited the restoration of the bioelectric activity of the cerebral cortex following prolonged asphyxia or ischemia.