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Related Experiment Videos

The gigantocellular depressor area revisited.

Sue A Aicher1

  • 1Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97006, USA. aichers@ohsu.edu

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
|September 30, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Muscimol injections into the Gigantocellular Depressor Area (GiDA) in rats caused hypertension and blocked the baroreceptor reflex. Unilateral injections led to severe hypotension, challenging current models of central sympathetic regulation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Regulation

Background:

  • The Gigantocellular Depressor Area (GiDA) in the rat medullary reticular formation is a functionally distinct region involved in cardiovascular control.
  • Previous studies defined the GiDA by glutamate-evoked vasodepressor and sympathoinhibitory responses and demonstrated its projections to autonomic nuclei.
  • Kainic acid lesions of the GiDA were shown to induce hypertension and impair the baroreceptor reflex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of muscimol nanoinjections into the GiDA on arterial pressure, heart rate, and baroreceptor reflex function in anesthetized rats.

Main Methods:

  • Muscimol was administered via nanoinjections into the GiDA of anesthetized rats.
  • Arterial pressure, heart rate, and responses to electrical stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve were measured.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Effects of both unilateral and bilateral muscimol injections were assessed.

    • Main Results:

    • Bilateral muscimol injections into the GiDA resulted in increased arterial pressure and severe hypertension.
    • Unilateral injections blocked the baroreflex response to ipsilateral aortic depressor nerve stimulation and caused profound hypotension.
    • Despite hypotension, heart rate decreased without compensatory tachycardia, and recovery of blood pressure and baroreceptor responses took several hours.

    Conclusions:

    • The GiDA plays a critical role in the baroreflex regulation of blood pressure.
    • The opposing effects of unilateral and bilateral muscimol injections on blood pressure present a challenge to current models of central sympathetic regulation.