Glutamatergic mechanisms in the nucleus tractus solitarius in blood pressure control

The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the site of termination of visceral afferents of the ninth and tenth cranial nerves, mediates and integrates the reflex cardiovascular and noncardiovascular responses to stimulation of cardiopulmonary and other visceral afferents. On injection into the NTS, the amino acid L-glutamate (L-Glu) and its excitatory analogs produce dose-dependent hypotension and bradycardia, a baroreceptor reflex-like response. The L-Glu antagonist glutamate diethyl ester blocks the response both to L-Glu and to baroreceptor reflex activation. Electrical stimulation of vagal c-fibers selectively releases 3H into a push-pull cannula after preloading of the NTS with L-[3H]Glu or D-[3H]aspartate. The NTS contains a high-affinity uptake system for inactivation of L-Glu. Like L-Glu, acetylcholine and serotonin, which are also found in the NTS, both elicit a baroreceptor reflex-like response when microinjected into the NTS. However, cholinergic and serotonergic antagonists do not block the baroreceptor reflex. A glutamatergic neuron (or neurons) projecting into NTS appears to be an integral part of the baroreceptor reflex arc.