Activation of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis increases gastric motility in the rat

The diencephalic bed nucleus of the stria terminalis is known to make direct, peptide-containing axonal connections with the brainstem dorsal vagal complex, i.e., the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Given these anatomical data, one would predict that the bed nucleus, like other forebrain nuclei with similar connections, should function to alter parasympathetic autonomic functions. To examine this possibility, we activated the bed nucleus via electrical microstimulation and glutamate microinjections while monitoring gastric motility with miniature extraluminal strain gauges. We found that activation of the bed nucleus produced an increase in gastric motility that was atropine sensitive. This finding raises the possibility that the bed nucleus may be a significant forebrain regulator of gastrointestinal function.