Convergent carotid sinus nerve and superior laryngeal nerve
afferent inputs to neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract.
Mifflin, Steven W.
Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78284-7764
APStracts 3:0179R, 1996.
A population of 43 neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS)
were identified in pentobarbital anesthetized, paralyzed and
artificially ventilated cats which received convergent inputs from
carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN)
afferents. In 21 neurons, electrical stimulation of the CSN and SLN
each evoked an EPSP (mean onset latency +/- SE of CSN evoked input =
7.2 +/- 0.8 ms, range 2.1 - 14.1 ms; of SLN evoked input = 10.3 +/-
2.1 ms, 2.8 - 46.8 ms). In 22 neurons, electrical stimulation of
either the CSN or SLN evoked an EPSP/IPSP sequence (CSN evoked input
= 6.7 +/- 0.6 ms, range 2.1 - 12.2 ms; SLN evoked input = 8.4 +/- 0.8
ms, 3.0 - 19.4 ms). Spatial interactions (facilitation, summation,
occlusion) and time-dependent inhibitory interactions were observed
between the convergent inputs. Natural stimulation of specific
receptors indicated that 14 cells received a convergent excitatory
input from carotid sinus baroreceptors and laryngeal
mechanoreceptors, 10 received a convergent excitatory input from
carotid body chemoreceptors and laryngeal mechanoreceptors, and 5
received a convergent excitatory input from baroreceptors,
chemoreceptors and laryngeal mechanoreceptors. The interactions and
various patterns of convergence suggest a significant integration of
convergent inputs from disparate afferent sources by these neurons.
Received 28 October 1994; accepted in final form 1 April 1996.
APS Manuscript Number R626-4.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Regulatory Integrative
Comp. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 19 May 96