File(s) not publicly available
Resetting of sympathetic rhythm by somatic afferents causes post-reflex coordination of sympathetic activity in rat.
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 07:17 authored by Kevin StarasKevin Staras, Hong-Shiu Chang, Michael P GilbeyWe have proposed previously that graded synchronous activity is produced by periodic inputs acting on weakly coupled or uncoupled oscillators influencing the discharges of a population of cutaneous vasoconstrictor sympathetic postganglionic neurones (PGNs) in anaesthetized rats. Here we investigated the effects of somatic afferent (superficial radial nerve, RaN) stimulation, on the rhythmic discharges of this population. We recorded (1) at the population level from the ventral collector nerve and (2) from single PGNs focally from the caudal ventral artery of the tail. Following RaN stimulation we observed an excitatory response followed by a period of reduced discharge and subsequent rhythmical discharges seemingly phase-locked to the stimulus. We suggest that the rhythmical discharges following the initial excitatory response (conventional reflex) result from a resetting of sympathetic rhythm generators such that rhythmic PGN activity is synchronized transiently. We also demonstrate that a natural mechanical stimulus can produce a similar pattern of response. Our results support the idea that in sympathetic control, resetting of multiple oscillators driving the rhythmic discharges of a population of PGNs may provide a mechanism for producing a sustained and coordinated response to somatic input.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Journal of PhysiologyISSN
1469-7793External DOI
Issue
2Volume
533Page range
537-545Pages
9.0Department affiliated with
- Neuroscience Publications
Notes
First author. Designed and performed all experiments and co-wrote paper.Work was a research 'highlight' in Nat Rev Neurosci and formed basis of a J Physiol 'perspectives' article.Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC