Control of ventricular excitability by neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The central nervous origins of functional parasympathetic innervation of cardiac ventricles remain controversial.

Objective

This study aimed to identify a population of vagal preganglionic neurons that contribute to the control of ventricular excitability. An animal model of synuclein pathology relevant to Parkinson's disease was used to determine whether age-related loss of the activity of the identified group of neurons is associated with changes in ventricular electrophysiology.

Methods

In vivo cardiac electrophysiology was performed in anesthetized rats in conditions of selective inhibition of the dorsal vagal motor nucleus (DVMN) neurons by pharmacogenetic approach and in mice with global genetic deletion of all family members of the synuclein protein.

SUBMITTER: Machhada A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4631809 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature