Inspiratory onset or termination induced by electrical stimulation of the brain

In anesthetized cats, electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures with short trains could induce onset or termination of activity of the phrenic nerve. Onset of phrenic discharge was obtained following stimulation of the primary sensory areas of the cerebral cortex, the periaqueductal gray, the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation, the parabrachial nucleus, the vestibular nucleus, and the fastigial nucleus. When these structures were stimulated by repetitive trains at frequencies of 1-5 Hz, the respiratory rhythm was entrained to these same frequencies. The phrenic discharge during these repetitive stimulations exhibited a decrementing pattern similar to that during thermal polypnea. Termination of phrenic activity was obtained upon stimulation of the motor and visceral cortices, the internal capsule, the pyramidal tract, the red nucleus, the rubrospinal tract and the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. Stimulation of these latter structures by repetitive trains resulted in a temporary or permanent arrest of phrenic discharge. These results are discussed in the context of the possible roles of medullary respiratory neurons in the onset or termination of inspiratory activity.