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Reflex changes in sympathetic activity affect the tooth tap-digastric reflex in rabbits
Proceedings of the Finnish Dental Society. Suomen Hammaslaakariseuran Toimituksia
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Sympathetic nervous system activity influences jaw reflexes. Changes in sympathetic discharge, triggered by baroreceptor reflexes, significantly alter the digastric opening reflex in rabbits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Electrical stimulation of sympathetic trunks inhibits the digastric opening reflex in rabbits.
- Previous findings suggest the inhibitory site of action is within the periodontal ligament.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of physiological changes in sympathetic activity on the digastric opening reflex.
- To determine if baroreceptor reflex-induced sympathetic changes modulate this reflex.
Main Methods:
- Studied the digastric opening reflex in anesthetized rabbits.
- Manipulated sympathetic activity via hemorrhage (femoral vein blood withdrawal) and aortic baroreceptor nerve stimulation.
- Monitored reflex activity using integrated EMG.
Main Results:
- Hemorrhage (increased sympathetic discharge) reduced the digastric reflex by a median of 19% in 7/13 tests.
- Aortic nerve stimulation (reduced sympathetic discharge) increased the reflex by a median of 160% in 11/13 tests.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring changes in sympathetic discharge, mediated by the baroreceptor reflex, significantly affect the tooth tap-elicited digastric opening reflex.
- These findings extend previous knowledge on sympathetic modulation of jaw reflexes.
