Effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade on breathing pattern in newborn cat.
We gave newborn kittens the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker MK-801 systemically while recording their breathing patterns by the barometric method. Unlike pentobarbital, MK-801 at an anaesthetic dose increased the relative length of inspiration within the respiratory cycle. The section of both vagus nerves under MK-801 produced apneustic breathing, whereas vagotomy under pentobarbital had no such effect. We conclude that the central inspiratory-termination mechanism mediated through NMDA receptors and the vagally-mediated mechanism that independently 'switches off' inspiration are both functional at birth.
Schweitzer
P
P
Laboratoire de Physiologie Nerveuse, C.N.R.S., Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Pierrefiche
O
O
Foutz
A S
AS
Denavit-Saubié
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002415:Cats; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001239:Inhalation / Q000187:drug effects; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D014628:Vagotomy
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D010424:Pentobarbital