Electroencephalogram activity in the anoxic turtle brain

The effects of anoxia on the electroencephalogram (EEG) activity of the awake anoxic tolerant freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta were investigated. Spontaneous EEG activity and behavioral responses were determined under the conditions of normoxia, anoxia and reoxygenation. Results showed that anoxia greatly depressed in situ cortical EEG activity with new activities during the transition period and periodic bursts of activity during prolonged anoxia. The EEG pattern during long-term anoxia indicated that the anoxic turtle brain could be alternating between two activity states.