ACTIVITY OF BRAINSTEM NEURONS

很久以前就认识到，在吻侧核中有一组神经元， 延髓腹外侧（RVLM）是中枢神经系统的重要组成部分。 用于维持交感神经血管紧张和呼吸的网络。 RVLM中的化学或电解损伤引起快速和持续的 实验性血压下降和呼吸中断 动物 心脏-呼吸动力学的类似变化在 患有高位颈髓损伤的人 深入学习 RVLM神经元的电行为和突触机制，一个区域 一个几乎未经探索的实验模型，由脑干组成， 从年轻（25-30天）大鼠分离的脊髓制备物现在已经被 开发 我们模型的新初步数据表明， RVLM中的神经元本质上是活跃的。 全细胞膜片钳 记录将从鉴定的球脊髓RVLM神经元进行 通过刺激T2段的外侧索逆向地 或者通过注射到血管中的逆行示踪剂荧光金的存在， T2中间外侧细胞柱背外侧的白色物质， 实验前3天的T3节段。 以下具体目标 将得到解决。 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，如非脊髓 投射RVLM神经元 第二，内在活跃的RVLM神经元 具有不同的膜电流， 神经元？ 第三，内在活跃的RVLM神经元与 非活性神经元，就其递质表型而言， 担心什么？最后，这两种类型的RVLM神经元是否接受不同的 突触输入和/或表现出不同的突触电位？一 全面研究电行为和突触机制， 区分固有活性与静止RVLM的活性 神经元是改善我们目前的 神经网络的知识，这是至关重要的自我平衡控制 血压和呼吸。 同样，他们的功能障碍可能 导致高血压和其他心肺疾病 states.

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.