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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
Published on: November 19, 2015
Neural mechanisms underlying respiratory regulation within the preBötzinger complex of the rabbit
Elenia Cinelli1, Donatella Mutolo1, Tito Pantaleo1
1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Sezione Scienze Fisiologiche, Università Degli Studi di Firenze, Viale G.B. Morgagni 63, Firenze, 50134, Italy.
Abstract:
The preBötzinger complex (preBötC) is a medullary area essential for normal breathing and widely recognized as necessary and sufficient to generate the inspiratory phase of respiration. It has been studied mainly in rodents. Here we report the main results of our studies revealing the characteristics of the rabbit preBötC identified by means of neuronal recordings, D,L-homocysteic acid microinjections and histological controls. A crucial role in the respiratory rhythmogenesis within this neural substrate is played by excitatory amino acids, but also GABA and glycine display important contributions. Increases in respiratory frequency are induced by microinjections of neurokinins, somatostatin as well by serotonin (5-HT) through an action on 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors or the disinhibition of a GABAergic circuit. Respiratory depression is observed in response to microinjections of the μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO. Our results show similarities and differences with the rodent preBötC and emphasize the importance of comparative studies on the mechanisms underlying respiratory rhythmogenesis in different animal species.
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