Midbrain modulation of the cardiac baroreflex involves excitation of lateral parabrachial neurons in the rat

Abstract

Activation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (PAG) evokes defense-like behavior including a marked increase in sympathetic drive and resetting of baroreflex function. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) in mediating dorsal PAG modulation of the arterial baroreflex. Reflex responses were elicited by electrical stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve (ADN) at 5 Hz or 15 Hz in urethane anesthetized rats ( n = 18). Electrical stimulation of the dorsal PAG at 10 Hz did not alter baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) but did significantly attenuate baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) evoked by low frequency ADN stimulation. Alternatively, 40 Hz dorsal PAG stimulation increased baseline MAP (43 ± 3 mm Hg) and HR (33 ± 3 bpm) and attenuated baroreflex control of HR at both ADN stimulation frequencies. Reflex control of MAP was generally unchanged by dorsal PAG stimulation. Bilateral inhibition of neurons in LPBN area ( n = 6) with muscimol (0.45 nmol per side) reduced dorsal PAG-evoked increases in MAP and HR by 50 ± 4% and 95 ± 4%, respectively, and significantly reduced, but did not completely eliminate dorsal PAG attenuation of the cardiac baroreflex. Bilateral blockade of glutamate receptors in the LPBN area ( n = 6) with kynurenic acid (1.8 nmol) had a similar effect on dorsal PAG-evoked increases in MAP, HR and cardiac baroreflex function. Reflex control of MAP was unchanged with either treatment. These findings suggest that the LPBN area is one of several brainstem regions involved in descending modulation of the cardiac baroreflex function during defensive behavior.