pH-sensitive cells at ventro–lateral surface of rat medulla oblongata

• DOI: 10.1038/256317a0
• Publication Date: 2005-08-03T18:10:30Z
• Authors: Y. FUKUDA; Y. HONDA
• Keywords: Medulla

MARKED effects of pH changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on ventilation have been confirmed by a number of investigators1. Consistent augmentation of respiration by applying acid fluids to specific regions on the ventro–lateral surface of the cat medulla oblongata2,3 has been shown, and similar results were observed with the brain stem of the rat4. The chemosensitive nature of these regions proposed from the above experiments has been substantiated by electrophysiological studies using an extracellular recording technique5,6. Movements of the brain as a result of respiration and cardiac activity, however, make it difficult to obtain intracellular recordings of nerve activity in these structures. Therefore, thin brain slices were used in vitro in the present experiment.