Expiration-related neurons in the caudal ventral respiratory group of the cat: influences of the activation of Bötzinger complex neurons.
The functional role of Bötzinger complex (Böt. c.) projections to the expiration-related (ER) area of the caudal ventral respiratory group (cVRG) was investigated in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated cats. ER neurons in both the ipsi- and the contralateral cVRG displayed excitatory responses to Böt. c. electrical microstimulation. They were also activated by microinjections of D,L-homocysteic acid into the Böt. c. region. We propose that at least part of the Böt. c. projections to the cVRG have an excitatory function.
Bongianni
F
F
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiologiche, Universita' di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
Corda
M
M
Fontana
G
G
Pantaleo
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008845:Microinjections; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D006710:Homocysteine; C007956:homocysteic acid