[Effects of the local stimulation of the insular cortex on respiration in rats]

Two distinct patterns of respiratory responses to electrical microstimulation were elicited from the rat insular cortex: a decrease in respiratory airflow and tidal volume with no alteration of the respiratory rate (the inhibition response) and an increase in respiratory rate and inspiratory airflow (the excitation response). Gastric motility changes could also be elicited from the anterior insular cortex simultaneously with the inhibition response. The data suggests overlapping of the inhibition response area in the anterior insular cortex with a gastrointestinal representation there, and of the excitation response area in the posterior insular cortex with a cardiovascular representation.