Respiratory responses to chemical stimulation of the parabrachial nuclear complex in the rabbit.
The respiratory role of the parabrachial nuclear complex (PNC) was investigated in alpha-chloralose-urethane anesthetized, vagotomized, paralysed and artificially ventilated rabbits by means of unilateral microinjections (10-20 nl) of 20 mM dl-homocysteic acid. Chemical stimulation elicited three main types of site-specific respiratory effects: excitatory, apneustic and inhibitory responses. The results suggest that the PNC plays a complex role in the control of breathing.
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiologiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni 63, I-50134, Florence, Italy.
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D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008845:Microinjections; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011149:Pons / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012119:Respiration; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D006710:Homocysteine; C007956:homocysteic acid