Influence of nucleus tractus solitarius stimulation and baroreceptor activation on rat parabrachial neurons

The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) within the dorsolateral pons is a major recipient of autonomic-related inputs from more caudal levels of the brainstem and, in particular, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Although the anatomical projections from the NTS to the PBN are well characterized, less is known concerning the influence of activating NTS efferents on PBN neurons and the response of the latter to cardiovascular-related inputs. The present study examined the response of PBN neurons to electrical stimulation of the depressor area within the NTS in urethane anesthetized rats, and subsequently, the influence of arterial baroreceptor activation and systemic angiotensin II (ANG II) on these cells. Extracellular single-unit PBN recordings indicated that 92 of 227 (40.5%) cells were orthodromically excited and 35 of 227 (15.4%) inhibited consequent to NTS stimulation. Ten (4.5%) PBN cells displayed antidromic activation from the NTS. Of 41 of 119 neurons responding to both NTS stimulation and baroreceptor activation, 29.3% revealed a excitatory and 31.7% an inhibitory response to the two stimuli. Fifteen PBN cells responded to NTS stimulation, baroreceptor activation, and the administration of systemic ANG II, with six cells displaying either an excitatory or inhibitory response to all three stimuli. These observations provide electrophysiological support for reciprocal connections between the NTS and PBN and indicate the presence of both excitatory and inhibitory projections to the pontine nucleus. A population of neurons influenced by activation of NTS efferents also reveal a similarity of responses to inputs originating from peripheral arterial baroreceptors and systemic ANG II.