Role of Parafacial Nuclei in Control of Breathing in Adult Rats

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2953-14.2015
• Publication Date: 2015-01-21T19:18:29Z
• Authors: Robert T.R. Hucks...; Kathryn P. Cardoza; Lauren E. Henderson; Jack L. Feldman
• Keywords: Expiration; Hyperpolarization; Disinhibition; Premovement neuronal activity

Contiguous brain regions associated with a given behavior are increasingly being divided into subregions distinct aspects of that behavior. Using recently developed neuronal hyperpolarizing technologies, we functionally dissect the parafacial region in medulla, which contains key elements central pattern generator for breathing important CO 2 -chemoreception and gating active expiration. By transfecting different populations neighboring neurons allatostatin or HM 4 D G i/o -coupled receptors, analyzed effect their hyperpolarization on respiration spontaneously vagotomized urethane-anesthetized rats. We identify two separate nuclei: ventral (pF V ) lateral L ). Disinhibition pF bicuculline strychnine led to Hyperpolarizing had no at rest, changes inspiratory activity induced by hypoxia hypercapnia; however, attenuated expiration when it was hypercapnia, hypoxia, disinhibition . In contrast, affected rest decreasing inspiratory-related activity, attenuating hypoxia- hypercapnia-induced increase present, reducing expiratory-related abdominal activity. Together previous observations, conclude provides generic excitatory drive breathe, even whereas is conditional oscillator quiet that, activated, e.g., during exercise, drives