Effects of partial cuts on gastric electrical control activity and its computer model.

SARNA, S. K., E. E. DANIEL, AND Y.J. KINGMA. Effects ofpartial cuts on gastric electrical control actiuity and its computer model. Am. J. Physiol. 223(Z) : 332-34-O. 1972.-The effects of a variety of partial circumferential and longitudinal cuts of gastric muscle of anesthetized dogs on its electrical control activity and in a gastric computer model are described. The effects of these cuts on the phase lags between proximal and distal control waves and on the entrainment of distal oscillators indicate that the longitudinal coupling is strong near the greater curvature and throughout the antrum. The strength of coupling was assessed by determining the minimum amounts of muscle required to cause phase-locking between proximal and distal oscillators. This coupling is weak on the midline and near the lesser curvature in the body of the stomach. The transverse component of the coupling is strong in the antrum. A comparison of the magnitudes of transverse couplings in the antrum and in the body could not be made. The results of simulated partial cuts in a gastric computer model using similar coupling strengths resembled those observed in the dog stomach. The study adds further support to the contention that an array of bidirectionally coupled relxation oscillators is an appropriate model of the gastric electrical control activity.