Sensorimotor cortex projections to the ventrolateral and the dorsomedial medulla oblongata in the rat

After small pressure injections of Fluorogold (FG), and Dextran-tetramethylrodamine (DR) into the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus/nucleus of the solitary tract (DMV/NTS) and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), respectively, retrograde FG-labelled cells were found mainly in the sensorimotor cortex; retrograde DR-labelled cells were located in the same cortical areas and in the prefrontal cortex. Double-labelled cells were also found in the sensorimotor cortical areas. These results provide evidence of direct projections from the sensorimotor cortex to the DMV/NTS and RVLM and suggest that somatic cortical areas directly control cardiovascular output during sensory and somatic processes.