The principal aim of this research is the identification and characterization of neural pathways, neurotransmitters and synaptic receptors which participate in central autonomic and cardiovascular regulation. Three important integrative """"""""centers"""""""" in the medulla oblongata have been identified which play a major role in central cardiovascular control. These are: 1) the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), 2) the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVM), and 3) the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVM). These medullary regions appear to be linked within a neural network that regulates the activity of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. However, the precise functional and anatomical relationship between these areas, as well as the neurotransmitters and synaptic receptors responsible for information transmission between them, and other brain regions have not been well characterized. The proposed research will provide convergent lines of physiological, pharmacological, biochemical and anatomical evidence with which to address this question. The first Specific Aim will be to evaluate the role of the CVM and RVM in central baroreflex, cardiovascular and respiratory regulation. These experiments will employ electrolytic lesions and microinjection of drugs int the medulla to: 1) confirm the role of the CVM in central baroreflex control, 2) determine if the CVM plays a role in central sympthoinhibitory processes independently of baroreceptor reflexes, 3) identify the excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptor types in the RVN which are responsible for mediating neural transmission of sympathoexcitatory information, and 4) determine whether the CNS pathways and synaptic receptors which mediate cardiovascular reflexes can be distinguished from those which underlie respiratory reflexes evoked by identical stimuli. The second Specific Aim is to examine at the biochemical level the function of amino acid neurotransmitters in central cardiovascular control. Activation of central baroreflex and sympathoexcitatory pathways combined with in vivo microdialysis of the RVM and CVM will be used to measure local EAA and GABA release coincident with stimulation. In addition, selective destruction of afferent cardiovascular pathways projecting to these medullary sites combined with in vitro neurochemical analyses of tissue micropunches of the CVM and RVM will be employed to further assess the role of EAA's and GABA in medullary baroreflex and cardiovascular regulation. The third Specific Aim will examine the anatomical relationship between functionally identified """"""""cardiovascular"""""""" regions in the medulla. These experiments are designed to provide the structural foundation to complement the functional results obtained from the studies outlined under Specific Aims 1 and 2. Knowledge of the organization and neuropharmacology of central cardiovascular control may help to provide a rational basis for the design of drugs useful for treating pathological abnormalities such as hypertension.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL036907-07
Application #
3352265
Study Section
Experimental Cardiovascular Sciences Study Section (ECS)
Project Start
1986-12-01
Project End
1994-11-30
Budget Start
1993-02-16
Budget End
1993-11-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Yu, D; Gordon, F J (1996) Anatomical evidence for a bi-neuronal pathway connecting the nucleus tractus solitarius to caudal ventrolateral medulla to rostral ventrolateral medulla in the rat. Neurosci Lett 205:21-4
Gordon, F J (1995) Excitatory amino acid receptors in central cardiovascular regulation. Clin Exp Hypertens 17:81-90
Kiely, J M; Gordon, F J (1994) Role of rostral ventrolateral medulla in centrally mediated pressor responses. Am J Physiol 267:H1549-56
Yu, D; Gordon, F J (1994) A simple method to improve the reliability of iontophoretic administration of tracer substances. J Neurosci Methods 52:161-4
Bazil, M K; Gordon, F J (1993) Sympathoexcitation from the rostral ventrolateral medulla is mediated by spinal NMDA receptors. Brain Res Bull 31:273-8
Pawloski-Dahm, C M; Gordon, F J (1993) Increased dietary salt sensitizes vasomotor neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Hypertension 22:929-33
Kiely, J M; Gordon, F J (1993) Non-NMDA receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla mediate somatosympathetic pressor responses. J Auton Nerv Syst 43:231-9
Pawloski-Dahm, C; Gordon, F J (1992) Evidence for a kynurenate-insensitive glutamate receptor in nucleus tractus solitarii. Am J Physiol 262:H1611-5
Gordon, F J; Leone, C (1991) Non-NMDA receptors in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius play the predominant role in mediating aortic baroreceptor reflexes. Brain Res 568:319-22
Bazil, M K; Gordon, F J (1991) Spinal NMDA receptors mediate pressor responses evoked from the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Am J Physiol 260:H267-75

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