Pharmacologic Dissociation of Behavior and EEG "Sleep Patterns" in Dogs: Morphine, N-Allylnormorphine, and Atropine

Summary1. In unanesthetized, uncurarized dogs certain dose of morphine, N-allylnormorphine or atropine produce similar changes in the EEG, which are identical with, or resemble closely, the “burst-slow wave” patterns which occur in natural sleep or during pentobarbital anesthesia. 2. The synchronizing mechanisms which regulate the electroencephalogram are distinct from those which regulate the state of consciousness, although frequently, they are functionally interlocked. 3. The significance of these findings is discussed with reference to the possible functions of the spontaneous electrical activity of the cerebral cortex.