ACTIVITY OF BRAINSTEM NEURONS

长期以来，人们一直认为，吻部的一组神经元 延髓腹外侧区(RVLM)是中枢神经系统的重要组成部分 维持交感神经血管舒缩张力和呼吸的网络。 RVLM中的化学或电解性损害会导致快速和持续的 实验性血压下降和呼吸中断 动物。在心肺动力学方面也有类似的变化。 患有高位颈髓损伤的人类。要深入研究 RVLM区神经元的电行为和突触机制 一种由脑干组成的实验模型-- 从幼年(25-30天)大鼠身上分离的脊髓制剂现在已经 发展起来的。来自我们模型的新的初步数据表明，一组 RVLM中的神经元本质上是活跃的。全细胞膜片钳 将对已鉴定的球状脊髓RVLM神经元进行记录 通过刺激T2节段的侧索逆行 或通过逆行示踪剂荧光金的存在注入 T2和T2的中间外侧细胞柱背外侧的白质 T3节段在实验前3天。以下是具体目标 将会得到解决。首先，脊髓投射RVLM神经元是否表现出 不同的膜特性和突触机制与非棘突 投射RVLM神经元？第二，本质上活跃的RVLM神经元 拥有不同的膜电流，非自发活动的 神经元？第三，本质上活跃的RVLM神经元与 非活性神经元的递质表型是 担心吗？最后，这两种类型的RVLM神经元接收到的信息是否不同 突触输入和/或表现出不同的突触潜力？一个 电行为和突触机制的综合研究 区分本质活跃和静止的RVLM的活动 神经元构成了改善我们的电流的必要步骤 对动态平衡控制至关重要的神经网络知识 血压和呼吸的变化。同样，他们的功能障碍也可能 导致高血压和其他心肺疾病 各州。

It has long been recognized that a group of neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) are an essential component of the central network for maintaining sympathetic vasomotor tone and respiration. Chemical or electrolytic lesions in the RVLM cause a rapid and sustained fall in blood pressure and disruption of respiration in experimental animals. Similar changes in cardio-respiratory dynamics are noted in humans suffering from high cervical cord trauma. To study in depth the electrical behavior and synaptic mechanism of RVLM neurons, an area virtually unexplored, an experimental model consisting of a brainstem- spinal cord preparation isolated from young (25-30 days) rats has now been developed. New preliminary data from our model has shown that a group of neurons in the RVLM are intrinsically active. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings will be made from bulbospinal RVLM neurons identified antidromically by stimulation of the lateral funiculus at the T2 segment or by the presence of the retrograde tracer fluorogold injected into the white matter dorsolateral to the intermediolateral cell column of T2 and T3 segments 3 days prior to experimentation. The following specific aims will be addressed. First, do spinally projecting RVLM neurons exhibit different membrane property and synaptic mechanism as do non-spinally projecting RVLM neurons? Second, do the intrinsically active RVLM neurons possess different membrane currents as do the non-spontaneously active neurons? Third, are the intrinsically active RVLM neurons different from the non-active neurons insofar as their transmitter phenotype is concerned? Lastly, do these two types of RVLM neurons receive different synaptic inputs and/or exhibit different synaptic potentials? A comprehensive study of the electrical behavior and synaptic mechanism that distinguish the activity of intrinsically active from quiescent RVLM neurons constitutes a necessary step toward improving our current knowledge of the neural network which is critical for homeostatic control of blood pressure and respiration. Likewise, their dysfunction may contribute to high blood pressure and other cardio-pulmonary disease states.