Modulation of the central respiratory effects of 5-HT by vagal afferents in newborn rat.

Abstract

Recent in vitro studies using brain slices or an isolated preparation of brainstem and spinal cord have confirmed that serotoninergic mechanisms are involved in the central nervous control of breathing. For example, increases in respiratory frequency, via activation of 5-HT1 receptors, have been elicited either by the use of exogenous 5-HT 1 or via the release of endogenous 5-HT after stimulation of the raphe nuclei2. Other workers have reported a biphasic effect of 5-HT on respiratory rate, an initial increase in inspiratory frequency (Fi) being followed by a low-frequency phase despite the continued presence of 5-HT 3,4. Interestingly, the effect of 5-HT on the respiratory rhythm in vitro appears to depend on the baseline respiratory rate4, the inhibitory effect being more pronounced in a preparation with a higher respiratory rate.KeywordsSham GroupSudden Infant Death SyndromeRespiratory FrequencyRespiratory RhythmVagal ModulationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.