Interactive role of L-glutamate and vasopressin, at the level of the PAG area, for cardiovascular tone and stereotyped behaviour.
The periaqueductal gray (PAG) area may modulate cardiovascular functions and trigger several stereotyped behavioural responses through a mechanism mediated by the interaction of L-glutamate with arginine vasopressin (AVP). Moreover, only the NMDA- but not the non-NMDA-glutamergic subtype receptors might participate in the control of these neurovegetative functions also modifying the homeostasis of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysis system. This latter effect may be due to the tight connections between the PAG area neurons to the more cephalic nuclei within the brainstem.
Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1st Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
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Maione
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Berrino
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Vitagliano
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Leyva
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Rossi
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000502:physiology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D005971:Glutamates / Q000502:physiology*; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D008297:Male; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology*
D005971:Glutamates; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D018698:Glutamic Acid