| Abstract: | Respiration-related (RR) neuronal activity was systematically searched for in the nuclear complex of the solitary tract (nTS) with special interest focused on regions located medially to the ventrolateral subnucleus (vlnTS) which is widely considered to be the anatomical location of the dorsal respiratory group (DRG). The experiments were carried out on cats under pentobarbitone anaesthesia, paralyzed and artificially ventilated. RR activity was recorded consistently not only in the vlnTS, but also in more medial regions. R alpha-type neurons were often encountered in ventral and medial aspects of the nTS. R beta-type neurons and expiration-related neurons were found also in ventral regions of the nTS. A small number of 'late onset' and 'early burst' inspiration-related neurons was found respectively in ventral and ventromedial regions of the nTS. The activity of neurons presenting a rhythmic pattern completely determined by lung volume changes due to the respirator was consistently recorded both in ventral and medial areas of the nTS. Most of these neurons were excited by lung inflation and displayed a discharge pattern characteristic of P-neurons. A few neurons, designated as 'inverse' P-neurons displayed an opposite behaviour, being inhibited by lung inflation. The results are consistent with both histological and neurophysiological studies showing that pulmonary stretch receptor afferents terminate also on the medial side of the solitary tract. It is suggested that the DRG is not restricted to the vlnTS, but comprises also neurons located in more medial regions of the nTS. |
