Photostimulation of Phox2b medullary neurons activates cardiorespiratory function in conscious rats.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Hypoventilation is typically treated with positive pressure ventilation or, in extreme cases, by phrenic nerve stimulation. This preclinical study explores whether direct stimulation of central chemoreceptors could be used as an alternative method to stimulate breathing.

Objectives

To determine whether activation of the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), which is located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), stimulates breathing with appropriate selectivity.

Methods

A lentivirus was used to induce expression of the photoactivatable cationic channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) by RVLM Phox2b-containing neurons, a population that consists of central chemoreceptors (the ccRTN neurons) and blood pressure (BP)-regulating neurons (the C1 cells). The transfected ne

SUBMITTER: Kanbar R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3001261 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature