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Spinal and pudendal nerve modulation of human corticoanal motor pathways.

We investigated the effects of lumbosacral and pudendal nerve stimulation on the corticofugal pathways to the human external anal sphincter. In 11 healthy subjects, anal sphincter electromyographic responses, evoked to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex, were recorded 5-500 ms after lumbosacral root or pudendal nerve stimulation. Lumbosacral and pudendal nerve stimulation alone evoked responses with amplitudes of 293 +/- 73 and 401 +/- 153 microV and latencies of 3.2 +/- 0.2 and 2.2 +/- 0.2 ms, respectively. Cortical stimulation also evoked responses with amplitudes of 351 +/- 104 microV and latencies of 20.9 +/- 1.1 ms. When lumbosacral or pudendal nerve stimulation preceded cortical stimulation, the cortically evoked responses were facilitated (P < 0.01), with the effect appearing greatest at 5-20 ms after both lumbosacral and pudendal excitation and at 50-100 ms after lumbosacral excitation alone. Our results demonstrate that cortical pathways to the external anal sphincter are facilitated by prior lumbosacral and pudendal nerve stimulation, indicating that sensorimotor interactions are important in the central neural control of sphincter function.

Adult↗

The sympathoinhibitory effects of systemic cholecystokinin are dependent on neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla in the rat.

The gastrointestinal hormone CCK inhibits a subset of presympathetic neurons in the rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) that may be responsible for driving the sympathetic vasomotor outflow to the gastrointestinal circulation. We tested the hypothesis that the central neurocircuitry of this novel sympathoinhibitory reflex involves a relay in the caudal ventrolateral medullary (CVLM) depressor area. Blood pressure and greater splanchnic sympathetic nerve discharge (SSND) or lumbar sympathetic nerve discharge (LSND) were monitored in anesthetised, paralyzed male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of phenylephrine (PE, 10 microg/kg iv; baroreflex activation), phenylbiguanide (PBG, 10 microg/kg iv; von Bezold-Jarisch reflex) and CCK (4 or 8 microg/kg iv) on SSND or LSND, were tested before and after bilateral injection of 50-100 nl of the GABAA agonist muscimol (1.75 mM; n=6, SSND; n=7, LSND) or the excitatory amino acid antagonist kynurenate (55 mM; n=7, SSND) into the CVLM. PE and PBG elicited splanchnic and lumbar sympathoinhibitory responses that were abolished by bilateral muscimol or kynurenate injection into the CVLM. Similarly, the inhibitory effect of CCK on SSND was abolished after neuronal inhibition within the CVLM. In contrast, CCK-evoked lumbar sympathoexcitation was accentuated following bilateral CVLM inhibition. In control experiments (n=7), these agents were injected outside the CVLM and had no effect on splanchnic sympathoinhibitory responses to PE, PBG, and CCK. In conclusion, neurons in the CVLM are necessary for the splanchnic but not lumbar sympathetic vasomotor reflex response to CCK. This strengthens the view that subpopulations of RVLM neurons supply sympathetic vasomotor outflow to specific vascular territories.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Urethral responses to sacral stimulation in chronic spinal dog.

Urethral activity was investigated in the awake chronic spinal-injured canine using urodynamic recordings, video cystofluoroscopy, and urethral pressure recordings without anesthesia. Bladder contractions and voiding were induced by electrical stimulation with epidural electrodes inserted into the sacral canal. Urethral pressure remained elevated during stimulation and for 1-3 s afterward. Poststimulation voiding occurred with three different patterns: 1) pulsatile voiding in which squirting of urine was associated with contractions in the membranous urethra; 2) "on and off" voiding in which pulsatile flow was interrupted for brief periods of time; and 3) steady-stream voiding in which nonpulsatile flow was followed by pulsatile flow. Viewing these voiding patterns with fluoroscopy indicated that the proximal membranous urethra was important in all of the patterns. We conclude that in the chronic spinal-injured canine the skeletal muscle within the membranous urethra (rhabdosphincter) is involved in responses to sacral stimulation and various voiding patterns.

Animals↗

Control of bilateral seminal emissions from ejaculatory ducts by a lumbar splanchnic nerve.

To investigate the route of efferent signals for seminal emissions from ejaculatory ducts (SEEDs), canine lumbar splanchnic nerves (LSNs) were electrically stimulated. SEED was confirmed by visual verification of seminal flow into the exposed posterior urethra. In intact dogs, electrical stimulation of an LSN caused bilateral SEEDs in 13 of 16 dogs examined, with a greater volume at the stimulated side. After transection of a unilateral hypogastric nerve, bilateral SEEDs occurred by electrical stimulation of the contralateral LSN in 11 of 14 dogs with a greater volume at the stimulated side and by the stimulation of the ipsilateral LSN in 13 of 15 dogs with a greater volume at the contralateral side. Contraction pressure of the epididymal tail under the same conditions harmonized with the above results. We conclude that each LSN generates bilateral SEEDs by sending signals to bilateral epididymal tails and that some of the signals through each LSN cross to the other side at the caudal mesenteric plexus and/or the prostatic plexus.

Animals↗

Sympathoinhibition from ventrolateral periaqueductal gray mediated by 5-HT(1A) receptors in the RVLM.

The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptors located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in the mediation of a sympathoinhibitory and depressor response elicited from the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) matter of the midbrain was examined in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats. Activation of neurons in the vlPAG evoked a decrease in renal and lumbar sympathetic nerve activities and a decrease in arterial blood pressure. After microinjection of the specific 5-HT(1A)-receptor antagonist WAY-100635 into the pressor area of the RVLM, the vlPAG-evoked sympathoinhibition and hypotension was attenuated to control levels (7 of 15 animals) or converted into a sympathoexcitation and pressor response (8 of 15 animals). Baroreflex inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity was not impaired by microinjection of WAY into the sympathoexcitatory region of the RVLM. These data suggest that sympathoinhibition and hypotension elicited by activation of neurons in the vlPAG are mediated by 5-HT(1A) receptors in the RVLM.

Animals↗

Central inspiratory influence on abdominal expiratory nerve activity.

Our purpose was to determine whether the intensity of abdominal expiratory nerve discharge is conditioned by the intensity of the preceding inspiratory phrenic discharge, independent of mechanical and chemical afferent influences. In decerebrate, paralyzed, vagotomized cats with bilateral pneumothoraxes, we recorded phrenic and abdominal (cranial iliohypogastric nerve, L1) nerve activities at hyperoxic normocapnia. We reduced the duration and intensity (i.e., integrated peak height) of phrenic nerve discharge for single cycles by stimulating the cut central end of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) during the central inspiratory phase (75 microA, 20-50 Hz, 0.2-ms pulse). Premature termination of inspiration consistently reduced expiratory duration (TE) and abdominal expiratory nerve activity (area of integrated neurogram), but the average reduction in TE was much less than the reduction in abdominal nerve activity (14 vs. 51%). Stimulation of the cut central end of the vagus nerve yielded similar results, as did spontaneous premature terminations of inspiration, which we observed in one cat. SLN stimulation during hyperoxic hypercapnia resulted in more variable responses, and higher stimulation frequencies were usually required to abort inspiration. SLN (or vagal) stimulation during expiration consistently increased abdominal expiratory nerve activity. We speculate that this facilitatory response is gated during inspiration, thereby allowing the inspiratory conditioning effect on the subsequent expiration to be expressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdominal Muscles↗

Cerebellar modulation of cough motor pattern in cats.

Cerebellar modulation of cough motor pattern in cats. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(2): 391-397, 1997.-The cerebellum modulates respiratory muscle activity in part via its influence on the central respiratory pattern generator. Because coughing requires well-coordinated respiratory muscle activity, studies were conducted to determine whether the cerebellum influences the centrally generated cough motor pattern. Integrated phrenic and lumbar efferent neurograms (PN and LN, respectively) were monitored in decerebrated, paralyzed, and ventilated cats. Mechanical probing of the intrathoracic trachea was used to evoke fictive coughs; i.e., large increases in PN and LN amplitudes. Cerebellectomy resulted in a decrease in the number of coughs per trial (cough frequency) and LN peak amplitudes without any consistent change in PN peak amplitudes. Cerebellar nuclei [the rostral interposed nucleus (INr) and the rostral fastigial nucleus (FNr)] known to be involved in respiratory control were ablated to determine their potential role in the cough response. Control (eupneic) respiratory frequency was not affected by cerebellectomy or INr/FNr lesions. Cough frequency was depressed by lesion of the INr but not by ablation of the FNr. No significant changes in PN and LN amplitudes were observed after lesion of either the INr or FNr. These results suggest that the cerebellum, specifically the INr, is involved in modulation of the frequency of centrally generated coughing.

Animals↗

Medullary raphe neuron activity is altered during fictive cough in the decerebrate cat.

Chemical lesions in the medullary raphe nuclei region influence cough. This study examined whether firing patterns of caudal medullary midline neurons were altered during cough. Extracellular neuron activity was recorded with microelectrode arrays in decerebrated, neuromuscular-blocked, ventilated cats. Cough-like motor patterns (fictive cough) in phrenic and lumbar nerves were elicited by mechanical stimulation of the intrathoracic trachea. Discharge patterns of respiratory and nonrespiratory-modulated neurons were altered during cough cycles (58/133); 45 increased and 13 decreased activity. Fourteen cells changed firing rate during the inspiratory and/or expiratory phases of cough. Altered patterns in 43 cells were associated with the duration of, or extended beyond, the cough episodes. The different response categories suggest that multiple factors influence the discharge patterns during coughing: e.g., respiratory-modulated and tonic inputs and intrinsic connections. These results suggest involvement of midline neurons (i.e., raphe nuclei) in the cough reflex.

Animals↗

Noninvasive assessment of sympathetic vasoconstriction in human and rodent skeletal muscle using near-infrared spectroscopy and Doppler ultrasound.

The precise role of the sympathetic nervous system in the regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise has been challenging to define in humans, partly because of the limited techniques available for measuring blood flow in active muscle. Recent studies using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure changes in tissue oxygenation have provided an alternative method to evaluate vasomotor responses in exercising muscle, but this approach has not been fully validated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that sympathetic activation would evoke parallel changes in tissue oxygenation and blood flow in resting and exercising muscle. We simultaneously measured tissue oxygenation with NIR spectroscopy and blood flow with Doppler ultrasound in skeletal muscle of conscious humans (n = 13) and anesthetized rats (n = 9). In resting forearm of humans, reflex activation of sympathetic nerves with the use of lower body negative pressure produced graded decreases in tissue oxygenation and blood flow that were highly correlated (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001). Similarly, in resting hindlimb of rats, electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves produced graded decreases in tissue oxygenation and blood flow velocity that were highly correlated (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001). During rhythmic muscle contraction, the decreases in tissue oxygenation and blood flow evoked by sympathetic activation were significantly attenuated (P < 0.05 vs. rest) but remained highly correlated in both humans (r = 0.80, P < 0.006) and rats (r = 0.92, P < 0.0001). These data indicate that, during steady-state metabolic conditions, changes in tissue oxygenation can be used to reliably assess sympathetic vasoconstriction in both resting and exercising skeletal muscle.

Adult↗

Excitatory synaptic currents in lumbosacral parasympathetic preganglionic neurons evoked by stimulation of the dorsal commissure.

Excitatory pathways from the dorsal commissure (DCM) to L(6)-S(1) parasympathetic preganglionic neurons (PGN) were examined using whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques in spinal cord slices from neonatal rats. PGN were identified by retrograde axonal transport of a fluorescent dye injected into the intraperitoneal space. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were evoked in PGN by stimulation of DCM in the presence of bicuculline methiodide (10 microM) and strychnine (1 microM) to block inhibitory pathways. Electrical stimulation of DCM evoked two types of inward currents. In the majority of PGN (n = 66), currents (mean amplitude, 47.9 +/- 4.7 pA) occurred at a short and relatively constant latency (3.8 +/- 0.1 ms) and presumably represent monosynaptic EPSCs (Type 1). However, in other neurons (n = 20), a different type of EPSC (Type 2) was noted, consisting of a fast monosynaptic component followed by a prolonged inward current with superimposed fast transients presumably representing excitatory inputs mediated by polysynaptic pathways. Type 1 EPSCs were pharmacologically dissected into two components. A fast component was blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 5 microM) and a slowly decaying component was blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV, 50 microM). The fast component of Type 1 EPSCs had a linear current-voltage relationship and reversed at a membrane potential of -7.6 +/- 1.3 mV (n = 5). The fast component of Type 2 EPSCs was also blocked by 5 microM CNQX and the remaining slower component was blocked by 50 microM APV. When the DCM was stimulated in the presence of 50 microM APV, the time to peak and decay time constant in Type 1 EPSCs were 1.9 +/- 0.2 and 4.1 +/- 0.8 ms, respectively. Examination of the NMDA receptor-mediated component of the EPSCs in the presence of 5 microM CNQX revealed a current-voltage relationship that had a region of negative slope conductance (from -20 to -80 mV), which was abolished in Mg(2+)-free external solution. The time to peak and decay time constant of this component were 14.2 +/- 2.0 and 91.0 +/- 12.4 ms, respectively. Type 1 EPSCs in some PGN responded in an all-or-none manner and presumably represented unitary synaptic responses; whereas Type 2 EPSCs always exhibited a graded stimulus intensity-response relationship. Paired-pulse facilitation (50-ms interstimulus intervals; 141 +/- 5.6% increase, n = 8) of EPSCs was observed. These results indicate that PGN receive monosynaptic and polysynaptic glutamatergic excitatory inputs from neurons and/or axonal pathways in the DCM.

Animals↗