Neurons in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus projecting to the infralimbic cortex in rats: electrical activity and response to changes in blood pressure

Neurosci Lett. 2001 Sep 21;311(1):57-60. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(01)02145-0.

Abstract

Neurons in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) are known to project directly to the infralimbic cortex (IL). However, there have been no physiological studies on LPGi neurons projecting to the IL. In urethane-anesthetized rats, the single-unit activities of LPGi neurons were recorded extracellularly to investigate their electrophysiological properties and responses to changes in blood pressure (BP). The LPGi neurons antidromically driven from the IL were restricted to the ventral part of the LPGi and most spontaneously active neurons revealed suppression of activity following a fall in BP. These results suggest that the LPGi neurons in a very restricted location influence the IL in response to changes in BP.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Autonomic Nervous System / cytology
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Limbic System / cytology
  • Limbic System / physiology
  • Male
  • Medulla Oblongata / cytology*
  • Medulla Oblongata / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / cytology*
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / cytology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reticular Formation / cytology*
  • Reticular Formation / physiology