A glutamate mechanism in the intermediolateral nucleus mediates sympathoexcitatory responses to stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla

Shaun F. Morrison, Paul Ernsberger, Teresa A. Milner, Janie Callaway, Anson Gong, Donald J. Reis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) contains a population of reticulospinal, sympathoexcitatory neurons. The regulation of the discharge of RVL-spinal vasomotor neurons by afferent pathways to the RVL underlies many reflex adjustments of circulation in response to peripheral and central stimuli. While vasomotor neurons of the RVL are presumed to exert their sympathoexcitatory effects over pathways terminating in the intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of the thoracolumbar spinal cord, little is known of the role played by specific spinal transmitter systems in mediating the increases in sympathetic nerve activity evoked by RVL neuronal discharge. This chapter discusses the combination of electrophysiological, immunocytochemical, and receptor autoradiographic techniques to test the hypothesis that an excitatory amino acid is the fast transmitter implicated in RVL-evoked excitation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs). Results suggest that RVL stimulation causes the release of glutamate from nerve terminals in the IML that interacts with glutamate receptors of the kainate subtype to excite SPNs, thereby, producing an increase in sympathetic nerve activity and arterial pressure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-169
Number of pages11
JournalProgress in Brain Research
Volume81
Issue numberC
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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