Pacemaking Property of RVLM Presympathetic Neurons

Author(s)

Accorsi-Mendonca, Daniela ; da Silva, Melina P. ; Souza, George M. P. R. ; Lima-Silveira, Ludmila ; Karlen-Amarante, Marlusa ; Amorim, Mateus R. ; Almado, Carlos E. L. ; Moraes, Davi J. A. ; Machado, Benedito H.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY; v. 7, SEP 22 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Despite several studies describing the electrophysiological properties of RVLM presympathetic neurons, there is no consensus in the literature about their pacemaking property, mainly due to different experimental approaches used for recordings of neuronal intrinsic properties. In this review we are presenting a historical retrospective about the pioneering studies and their controversies on the intrinsic electrophysiological property of auto-depolarization of these cells in conjunction with recent studies from our laboratory documenting that RVLM presympathetic neurons present pacemaking capacity. We also discuss whether increased sympathetic activity observed in animal models of neurogenic hypertension (CIH and SHR) are dependent on changes in the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of these cells or due to changes in modulatory inputs from neurons of the respiratory network. We also highlight the key role of I-Nap as the major current contributing to the pacemaking property of RVLM presympathetic neurons. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/06077-5 - Changes in the neural networks involved with the generation and control of sympathetic and respiratory activities in different experimental models of hypoxia
• Grantee: Benedito Honorio Machado
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants