Midbrain and medullary regulation of defensive cardiovascular functions

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase on cardiovascular functions in physiological and pathophysiological states

This review describes and summarizes the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on the central nervous system, particularly on brain regions such as the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and on blood vessels and the heart that are involved in the regulation and control of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Furthermore, we shall also review the functional aspects of nNOS during several physiological, pathophysiological, and clinical conditions such as exercise, pain, cerebral vascular accidents or stroke and hypertension. For example, during stroke, a cascade of molecular, neurochemical, and cellular changes occur that affect the nervous system as elicited by generation of free radicals and nitric oxide (NO) from vulnerable neurons, peroxide formation, superoxides, apoptosis, and the differential activation of three isoforms of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), and can exert profound effects on the CVS. Neuronal NOS is one of the three isoforms of NOSs, the others being endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) enzymes. Neuronal NOS is a critical homeostatic component of the CVS and plays an important role in regulation of different systems and disease process including nociception. The functional and physiological roles of NO and nNOS are described at the beginning of this review. We also elaborate the structure, gene, domain, and regulation of the nNOS protein. Both inhibitory and excitatory role of nNOS on the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SANS) and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS) as mediated via different neurotransmitters/signal transduction processes will be explored, particularly its effects on the CVS. Because the VLM plays a crucial function in cardiovascular homeostatic mechanisms, the neuroanatomy and cardiovascular regulation of the VLM will be discussed in conjunction with the actions of nNOS. Thereafter, we shall discuss the up-to-date developments that are related to the interaction between nNOS and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and stroke. Finally, we shall focus on the role of nNOS, particularly within the PAG in cardiovascular regulation and neurotransmission during different types of pain stimulus. Overall, this review focuses on our current understanding of the nNOS protein, and provides further insights on how nNOS modulates, regulates, and controls cardiovascular function during both physiological activity such as exercise, and pathophysiological conditions such as stroke and hypertension.

Translational approach to studying panic disorder in rats: hits and misses

Panic disorder (PD) patients are specifically sensitive to 5–7% carbon dioxide. Another startling feature of clinical panic is the counterintuitive lack of increments in ‘stress hormones’. PD is also more frequent in women and highly comorbid with childhood separation anxiety (CSA). On the other hand, increasing evidence suggests that panic is mediated at dorsal periaqueductal grey matter (DPAG). In line with prior studies showing that DPAG-evoked panic-like behaviours are attenuated by clinically-effective treatments with panicolytics, we show here that (i) the DPAG harbors a hypoxia-sensitive alarm system, which is activated by hypoxia and potentiated by hypercapnia, (ii) the DPAG suffocation alarm system is inhibited by clinically-effective treatments with panicolytics, (iii) DPAG stimulations do not increase stress hormones in the absence of physical exertion, (iv) DPAG-evoked panic-like behaviours are facilitated in neonatally-isolated adult rats, a model of CSA, and (v) DPAG-evoked responses are enhanced in the late diestrus of female rats. Data are consistent with the DPAG mediation of both respiratory and non-respiratory types of panic attacks.

Differential activation of the periaqueductal gray by mild anxiogenic stress at different stages of the estrous cycle in female rats

The effect of acute exposure to mild anxiogenic stress on cutaneous nociceptive threshold was investigated in female Wistar rats at different stages of the estrous cycle. Baseline tail flick latencies did not change significantly during the cycle. However after brief exposure to vibration stress (4 Hz for 5 min), rats in late diestrus, but not at other cycle stages, developed a hyperalgesia (decrease in tail flick latency). Animals in late diestrus revealed a more than fivefold increase in the density of Fos-like immunoreactive nuclei in the dorsolateral, lateral, and ventrolateral columns in the caudal half of the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG). There was no change in the density of Fos-like immunoreactive nuclei in the PAG in rats in estrus and early diestrus, although rats in proestrus showed a smaller (50%) but significant increase. Rats undergoing withdrawal from a progesterone dosing regimen (5 mg/kg i.p. twice daily for 6 days) designed to mimic the fall in progesterone that occurs naturally during late diestrus, exhibited a stress-induced hyperalgesia that was similar to animals in late diestrus and a significant increase in Fos-positive cells in the PAG. We suggest that falling levels of progesterone during late diestrus may be a predisposing factor for the development of stress-induced hyperalgesia, which is linked to differential activation of descending pain control circuits in the PAG. Similar changes in women, when progesterone levels fall during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, may contribute to the development of premenstrual symptoms that include increased anxiety and hyperalgesia.

Differential stress-induced neuronal activation patterns in mouse lines selectively bred for high, normal or low anxiety

There is evidence for a disturbed perception and processing of emotional information in pathological anxiety. Using a rat model of trait anxiety generated by selective breeding, we previously revealed differences in challenge-induced neuronal activation in fear/anxiety-related brain areas between high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety rats. To confirm whether findings generalize to other species, we used the corresponding HAB/LAB mouse model and investigated c-Fos responses to elevated open arm exposure. Moreover, for the first time we included normal anxiety mice (NAB) for comparison. The results confirm that HAB mice show hyperanxious behavior compared to their LAB counterparts, with NAB mice displaying an intermediate anxiety phenotype. Open arm challenge revealed altered c-Fos response in prefrontal-cortical, limbic and hypothalamic areas in HAB mice as compared to LAB mice, and this was similar to the differences observed previously in the HAB/LAB rat lines. In mice, however, additional differential c-Fos response was observed in subregions of the amygdala, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, midbrain and pons. Most of these differences were also seen between HAB and NAB mice, indicating that it is predominately the HAB line showing altered neuronal processing. Hypothalamic hypoactivation detected in LAB versus NAB mice may be associated with their low-anxiety/high-novelty-seeking phenotype. The detection of similarly disturbed activation patterns in a key set of anxiety-related brain areas in two independent models reflecting psychopathological states of trait anxiety confirms the notion that the altered brain activation in HAB animals is indeed characteristic of enhanced (pathological) anxiety, providing information for potential targets of therapeutic intervention.

Role of GABA receptors in nitric oxide inhibition of dorsolateral periaqueductal gray neurons

Nitric oxide (NO) affects neuronal activity of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). The purpose of this report was to investigate the role of GABA receptors in NO modulation of neuronal activity through inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs within the dorsolateral PAG (dl-PAG). First, spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) and excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) were recorded using whole cell voltage-clamp methods. Increased NO by either S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP, 100 microM) or L-arginine (50 microM) significantly augmented the frequency of mIPSCs of the dl-PAG neurons without altering their amplitudes or decay time constants. The effects were eliminated after bath application of carboxy-PTIO (NO scavenger), and 1-(2-trifluorom-ethylphenyl) imidazole (NO synthase inhibitor). In contrast, SNAP and L-arginine did not alter mEPSCs in dl-PAG neurons. However the frequency of mEPSCs was significantly increased with prior application of the GABA(B) receptors antagonist, CGP55845. In addition, NO significantly decreased the discharge rate of spontaneous action potentials in the dl-PAG neurons and the effect was reduced in the presence of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Our data show that within the dl-PAG NO potentiates the synaptic release of GABA, while NO-induced GABA presynaptically inhibits glutamate release through GABA(B) receptors. Overall, NO suppresses neuronal activity of the dl-PAG via a potentiation of GABAergic synaptic inputs and via GABA(A) receptors.

Modulation of cardiovascular responses and neurotransmission during peripheral nociception following nNOS antagonism within the periaqueductal gray

Nitric oxide (NO) within the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG) attenuated cardiovascular responses and changes in the concentrations of glutamate during both mechanical and thermal nociceptive stimulation [Ishide, T., Amer, A., Maher, T.J., Ally, A., 2005. Nitric oxide within periaqueductal gray modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission and cardiovascular responses during mechanical and thermal stimuli. Neurosci. Res. 51, 93-103]. Nitric oxide is synthesized from l-arginine via the enzyme, NO synthase (NOS), which exists in 3 isoforms: endothelial (eNOS), neuronal (nNOS), and inducible (iNOS). In this study, we examined the role of nNOS within the dPAG on cardiovascular responses and extracellular glutamate and GABA concentrations during mechanical and thermal nociception in anesthetized rats. The noxious mechanical stimulus was applied by a bilateral hindpaw pinch for 5 s that increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) by 24+/-4 mm Hg and 41+/-7 bpm, respectively (n=10). Extracellular glutamate levels within the dPAG increased by 10.7+/-1.3 ng/mul while GABA concentrations decreased by 1.9+/-0.5 ng/microl. Bilateral microdialysis of a selective nNOS antagonist, 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)-imidazole (TRIM; 10.0 microM), into the dPAG had no effect on MAP, HR, glutamate and GABA values (P>0.05) during a mechanical stimulation. In a separate set of experiments, a noxious thermal stimulus was generated by immersing the metatarsus of a hindpaw in a water-bath at 52 degrees C for 5 s (n=10). Glutamate, MAP, and HR increased by 14.6+/-2 ng/microl, 45+/-6 mm Hg, and 47+/-7 bpm, while GABA decreased by 2.1+/-0.6 ng/microl. Administration of TRIM into the dPAG significantly enhanced the cardiovascular responses and glutamate increases (P<0.05) but further attenuated GABA changes (P<0.05) during subsequent thermal nociception. These results demonstrate that nNOS within the dPAG plays a differential role in modulating cardiovascular responses and glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmission during thermal and mechanical nociception.

TRPV1 Receptor Mediates Glutamatergic Synaptic Input to Dorsolateral Periaqueductal Gray (dl-PAG) Neurons

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor in modulating neuronal activity of the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dl-PAG) through excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. First, whole cell voltage-clamp recording was performed to obtain the spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) of the dl-PAG neurons. As 1 μM of capsaicin was applied into the perfusion chamber, the frequency of mEPSCs was increased from 3.21 ± 0.49 to 5.64 ± 0.64 Hz ( P < 0.05, n = 12) without altering the amplitude and the decay time constant of mEPSCs. In contrast, capsaicin had no distinct effect on mIPSCs. A specific TRPV1 receptor antagonist, iodo-resiniferatoxin (i-RTX, 300 nM), decreased the frequency of mEPSCs from 3.51 ± 0.29 to 2.01 ± 0.2 Hz ( P < 0.05, n = 8) but did not alter the amplitude and decay time. In addition, i-RTX applied into the chamber abolished the effect of capsaicin on mEPSC of the dl-PAG. In another experiment, spontaneous action potential of the dl-PAG neurons was recorded using whole cell current-clamp methods. Capsaicin significantly elevated the discharge rate of the dl-PAG neurons from 3.03 ± 0.38 to 5.96 ± 0.87 Hz ( n = 8). The increased firing activity was abolished in the presence of glutamate N-methy-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA antagonists, 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. The results from this study provide the first evidence indicating that activation of TRPV1 receptors increases the neuronal activity of the dl-PAG through selective potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic inputs.

Altered brain activity processing in high-anxiety rodents revealed by challenge paradigms and functional mapping

Pathological anxiety involves aberrant processing of emotional information that is hypothesized to reflect perturbations in fear/anxiety pathways. The affected neurobiological substrates in patients with different anxiety disorders are just beginning to be revealed. Important leads for this research can be derived from findings obtained in psychopathologically relevant rodent models of enhanced anxiety, by revealing where in the brain neuronal processing in response to diverse challenges is different to that in animals with lower anxiety levels. Different functional mapping methods in various rodent models, including psychogenetically selected lines or genetically modified animals, have been used for this purpose. These studies show that the divergent anxiety-related behavioral response of high-anxiety- vs. normal and/or low-anxiety rodents to emotional challenges is associated with differential neuronal activation in restricted parts of proposed fear/anxiety circuitries including brain areas thought to be important in stress, emotion and memory. The identification of neuronal populations showing differential activation depends in part on the applied emotional challenge, indicating that specific facets of elicited fear or anxiety preferentially engage particular parts of the fear/anxiety circuitry. Hence, only the use of an array of different challenges will reveal most affected brain areas. A number of the neuronal substrates identified are suggested as candidate mediators of dysfunctional brain activation in pathological anxiety. Indeed, key findings revealed in these rodent models show parallels to observations in human symptom provocation studies comparing anxiety disorder patients with healthy volunteers. Work to investigate exactly which of the changed neuronal activation patterns in high-anxiety rodents has to be modulated by therapeutic drugs to achieve effective anxiolysis and via which neurochemical pathways this can be accomplished is at its early stages but has identified a small number of promising candidates. Extending these approaches should help to provide further insight into these mechanisms, revealing new leads for therapeutic targets and strategies.

Nitric oxide within periaqueductal gray modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission and cardiovascular responses during mechanical and thermal stimuli

We have previously reported that nitric oxide (NO) within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) attenuates cardiovascular responses and extracellular concentrations of glutamate during thermal, but not during mechanical nociceptive stimulation (Ishide. T., Maher, T.J., Ally, A. 2003. Role of nitric oxide in the ventrolateral medulla on cardiovascular responses and glutamate neurotransmission during mechanical and thermal stimuli. Pharmacol. Res. 47, 59-68). In this study, we examined the role of nitric oxide within the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), a higher center integrating nociceptive reflexes, on cardiovascular responses and glutamate release during both mechanical and thermal nociception using anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Two types of stimuli were studied, both activating peripheral A(delta) and C fiber polymodal nociceptors. Noxious mechanical stimulus was given by applying a bilateral hindpaw pinch for 5 s. Mechanical stimulation of a hindlimb increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and extracellular fluid glutamate within PAG by 20+/-3 mmHg, 37+/-6 bpm, and 1.7+/-0.3 ng/5 microl, respectively (n=10). Bilateral microdialysis of L-arginine (1.0 microM), a NO precursor, into the PAG significantly attenuated MAP, HR, and glutamate increases during a mechanical stimulation. Subsequent administration of N(G)-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) (1.0 microM), a NO synthase inhibitor, into the PAG blocked the ability of NO within PAG to modulate the cardiovascular responses to mechanical stimulus. The noxious thermal stimulus was generated by immersing the metatarsus of a hindpaw in water-bath at a temperature of 52 degrees C for 5 s. Similar increases were observed following thermal stimulation: 35+/-5 mmHg, 40+/-6 bpm, and 1.14+/-0.4 ng/5 microl (n=10). L-Arginine attenuated both cardiovascular responses and glutamate increase during thermal nociception. These results demonstrate that NO within the dorsolateral PAG plays a role in modulating cardiovascular responses by altering glutamate concentrations during both thermal and mechanical nociception.

Role of nitric oxide in the ventrolateral medulla on cardiovascular responses and glutamate neurotransmission during mechanical and thermal stimuli

We have previously reported that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-receptor blockade within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) attenuates cardiovascular responses and extracellular concentrations of glutamate during mechanical, but not during thermal stimulation [Pharmacol. Res. 43 (2001) 47]. In this study, we examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) within the RVLM on cardiovascular responses and glutamate release during both mechanical and thermal nociception using anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Two types of stimuli were studied, both activating peripheral Adelta and C fiber polymodal nociceptors. Noxious mechanical stimuli were given by applying a bilateral hindpaw pinch for 5s. The noxious thermal stimuli were generated by immersing the metatarsus of both hindpaws in a water bath at a temperature of 52 degrees C for 5s. Mechanical stimulation of both hindlimb extremities increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and extracellular fluid glutamate by 14+/-2 mmHg, 35+/-5 bpm, and 1.4+/-0.3 ng/5 microl, respectively (n=8). Similar responses were observed following thermal stimulation: 40+/-4 mmHg, 44+/-6 bpm, and 0.97+/-0.2 ng/5 microl (n=8). Bilateral microdialysis of L-arginine (1.0 microM), a nitric oxide precursor, into the RVLM had no effects on MAP, HR, and glutamate increases during mechanical stimulation. However, L-arginine attenuated these responses during thermal nociception. Subsequent administration of L-NMMA (1.0 microM), a NOS inhibitor, reversed the attenuations. These results show that nitric oxide most likely plays a role in modulating cardiovascular responses by altering glutamate concentrations within the RVLM during thermal but not mechanical nociception. Overall, the present study delineates the differential central integrative mechanisms that regulate processing of sensory impulses arising from peripheral stimulation.

Kinetics of etomidate actions on GABA(A) receptors in the rat spinal dorsal horn neurons

Electrophysiological properties of etomidate (ET)-induced current (I(ET)) at different concentrations and effects of ET at clinically relevant concentrations (1-10 microM) on postsynaptic GABA(A) receptor function were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp technique in mechanically dissociated rat spinal dorsal horn neurons. The results showed that ET actions were concentration-dependent: low concentrations (10 microM) of ET potentiated GABA-activated current (I(GABA)), slowed activation, desensitization and deactivation of GABA(A) receptors; moderate concentrations (10-1,000 microM) of ET directly activated and desensitized GABA(A) receptors; high concentrations (>1,000 microM) of ET produced an inhibitory effect on I(ET). In addition, ET prolonged the duration of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in the mechanically dissociated rat dorsal horn neurons. These results suggest that general anesthetics-induced changes at spinal level could significantly contribute to analgesia and general anesthesia.

Nucleus retroambiguus projections to the periaqueductal gray in the cat

The nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) of the caudal medulla is a relay nucleus by which neurons of the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray (PAG) reach motoneurons of pharynx, larynx, soft palate, intercostal and abdominal muscles, and several muscles of the hindlimbs. These PAG-NRA-motoneuronal projections are thought to play a role in survival behaviors, such as vocalization and mating behavior. In the present combined antero- and retrograde tracing study in the cat, we sought to determine whether the NRA, apart from the neurons projecting to motoneurons, also contains cells projecting back to the PAG. After injections of WGA-HRP in the caudal and intermediate PAG, labeled neurons were observed in the NRA, with a slight contralateral preponderance. In contrast, after injections in the rostral PAG or adjacent deep tectal layers, no or very few labeled neurons were present in the NRA. After injection of [(3)H]leucine in the NRA, anterograde labeling was present in the most caudal ventrolateral and dorsolateral PAG, and slightly more rostrally in the lateral PAG, mainly contralaterally. When the [(3)H]leucine injection site extended medially into the medullary lateral tegmental field, labeling was found in most parts of the PAG as well as in the adjoining deep tectal layers. No labeled fibers were found in the dorsolateral PAG, and only a few were found in the rostral PAG. Because the termination pattern of the NRA fibers in the PAG overlaps with that of the sacral cord projections to the PAG, it is suggested that the NRA-PAG projections play a role in the control of motor functions related to mating behavior.

Evidence that hemorrhagic hypotension is mediated by the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region

Severe hemorrhage lowers arterial pressure by suppressing sympathetic activity. This study tested the hypothesis that the decompensatory phase of hemorrhage is mediated by the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a region importantly involved in the autonomic and behavioral responses to stress and trauma. Neuronal activity in the vlPAG was inhibited with either lidocaine or cobalt chloride 5 min before hemorrhage (2.5 ml/100 g body wt) was initiated in conscious, unrestrained rats. Bilateral injection of lidocaine (0.5 microl of a 2% or 1 microl of a 5% solution) into the caudal vlPAG delayed the onset and reduced the magnitude of the hypotension produced by hemorrhage significantly. In contrast, inactivation of the dorsolateral PAG with lidocaine was ineffective. Cobalt chloride (5 mM; 0.5 microl), which inhibits synaptic transmission but not axonal conductance, also attenuated hemorrhagic hypotension significantly. Microinjection of lidocaine or cobalt chloride into the vlPAG of normotensive, nonhemorrhaged rats did not influence cardiovascular function. These data indicate that the vlPAG plays an important role in the response to hemorrhage.

The chemical architecture of the rat's periaqueductal gray based on acetylcholinesterase histochemistry: a quantitative and qualitative study

The chemoarchitecture of the periaqueductal gray has been extensively studied, based on acetylcholinesterase reaction and comparing it to other chemical markers. We have divided the periaqueductal gray into four main longitudinal columns, namely dorsomedial, dorsolateral, lateral and ventrolateral. We also identified the dorsal midline column, the supraoculomotor cap and the juxta-aqueductal ring. The acetylcholinesterase gave rise to a strong reaction in the outer half of the lateral column, the outer half of the dorsomedial column, the supraoculomotor cap and the ventral half of the juxta-aqueductal ring. This labeling was in part complementary to that of the NADPH diaphorase and allowed the lateral column to be differentiated from the ventrolateral column. However, the inner half of both lateral and ventrolateral columns displayed the same chemical properties including acetylcholinesterase, tyrosine hydroxilase and serotonin. Thus, from the chemical view, these inner halves should be considered as one different region. Finally, the juxta-aqueductal ring was composed of two clearly different halves, i.e. dorsal and ventral. The dorsal half did not show any clear differences from the above columns and was negative for acetylcholinesterase, NADPH diaphorase and tyrosine hydroxilase, while the ventral half was clearly different from the lateral and ventrolateral columns and displayed a positive reaction to all those chemical markers. From these results, we strongly suggest the use of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry as a tool for accurate parcellation of the periaqueductal gray.

The molecular dynamics of pain control

Pain is necessary for survival, but persistent pain can result in anxiety, depression and a reduction in the quality of life. The discriminative and affective qualities of pain are both thought to be regulated in an activity-dependent fashion. Recent studies have identified cells and molecules that regulate pain sensitivity and the parallel pathways that distribute nociceptive information to limbic or sensory areas of the forebrain. Here, we emphasize the cellular and neurobiological consequences of pain, especially those that are involved in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain. These new insights into pain processing will significantly alter our approach to pain control and the development of new analgesics.

Segmental and laminar organization of the spinal neurons projecting to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in the cat suggests the existence of at least five separate clusters of spino-PAG neurons

The present retrograde tracing study in the cat describes the spinal cord projections to the periaqueductal gray (PAG), taking into account different regions of the PAG and all spinal segments. Results show that injecting different parts of the PAG leads to different laminar and segmental distributions of labeled spinal neurons. The impression was gained that at least five separate clusters of spinal neurons exist. Cluster I neurons are found in laminae I and V throughout the length of the cord and are probably involved in relaying nociceptive information to the PAG. Cluster II neurons lie in the ventrolateral part of laminae VI-VII of the C1-C4 spinal cord and were labeled by injecting the ventrolateral or lateral part of the rostrocaudal PAG or the deep tectum. Cluster III neurons are located in lamina X of the thoracic and upper lumbar cord and seem to target the PAG and the deep tectum. Cluster IV neurons are located in the medial part of laminae VI-VII of the lumbosacral cord and seem to project predominantly to the lateral and ventrolateral caudal PAG. These neurons may play a role in conveying tactile stimuli to the PAG during mating behavior. Neurons of cluster V are located in the lateral part of lamina I of L6-S2 and in laminae V-VII and X of S1-S3. They are labeled only after injections into the central portion of the lateral and ventrolateral caudal PAG and probably relay information concerning micturition and mating behavior.

Neuroanatomical targets of anxiogenic drugs in the hindbrain as revealed by Fos immunocytochemistry

It is speculated that specific hindbrain transmitter pathways centred on the periaqueductal gray and locus coeruleus are an important integrative neural substrate for the expression of anxiety and the somatic symptoms and cardiovascular changes that accompany severe anxiety states, such as in panic disorder. Here we investigated the effects of various drugs, known to induce panic in humans and to be anxiogenic in animals, on Fos expression in the periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus and other parts of the rat hindbrain. The drugs tested were the benozodiazepine inverse agonist FG-7142, the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, the non-selective 5-hydroxytryptamine(2C) receptor agonist m-chlorophenyl piperazine, the adenosine antagonist caffeine and the cholecystokinin analogue BOC-CCK(4). A clear-cut finding was that administration of each anxiogenic drug caused a striking region-specific pattern of Fos expression within the hindbrain. In particular, the drugs commonly increased Fos-like immunoreactivity in the periaqueductal gray and locus coeruleus. Increased Fos expression in the periaqueductal gray was specific to the rostral dorsolateral and caudal ventrolateral regions. All the anxiogenic drugs also increased Fos-like immunoreactivity in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and nucleus of the solitary tract and all but one (BOC-CCK(4)) increased Fos in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Rats habituated to the test environment and injected with saline vehicle displayed little or no Fos-like immunoreactivity in the hindbrain areas investigated. In summary, each of the anxiogenic drugs tested (FG-7142, yohimbine, m-chlorophenyl piperazine, caffeine and BOC-CCK(4)) increased Fos expression in a restricted number of hindbrain regions, including the periaqueductal gray and locus coeruleus. Previous Fos studies have found that these same regions are activated by various fearful environmental stimuli. Therefore, a specific set of hindbrain circuits may be commonly involved in the processing of anxiety-related information evoked by pharmacological and environmental manipulation. The present findings also raise the possibility that measurement of the effect of anxiogenic drugs on Fos expression might be a useful way to model hindbrain pathways activated by anxiety and possibly panic.

In vitro responses of neurons in the periaqueductal gray to hypoxia and hypercapnia

Hypoxia-sensitive neurons in the caudal hypothalamus (CH) have been shown to project to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) which, in turn, sends descending projections to an area of the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) containing neurons inherently excited by hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to determine if neurons in the PAG are excited by hypoxia or hypercapnia in an in vitro environment. Extracellular responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia of neurons located throughout the PAG were recorded in a rat brain slice (400-500 microm thick) preparation. Hypoxic (10% O(2)/5% CO(2)/85% N(2)) and hypercapnic (7% CO(2)/93% O(2)) stimuli were delivered to the tissue through gas bubbled into the brain slice chamber. A majority (39 of 53) of the neurons tested responded to hypoxia. Of these neurons, 92% responded to hypoxia with an increase in firing rate. Neurons in the dorsolateral/lateral regions increased firing rates to a greater extent than neurons located in ventrolateral regions. All neurons tested (n=6) also responded to hypoxia after perfusion of the tissue with a low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) solution to block classic synaptic transmission. Only a small proportion (7/33) of neurons tested responded to hypercapnia. These findings indicate that neurons in the periaqueductal gray region of the brain have an inherent responsiveness to hypoxia and, thus, may contribute to the overall coordination of cardiorespiratory responses to systemic hypoxia.

Conditioned fear-induced tachycardia in the rat: vagal involvement

The effects of conditioned fear on gross activity, heart rate, PQ interval, noradrenaline and adrenaline were studied in freely moving rats. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of atropine methyl nitrate (0.5 mg/kg) during rest resulted in a significant shortening of the PQ interval, indicating that the PQ interval can be used as a measure of vagal activity. Conditioned fear was induced by 10-min forced exposure to a cage in which the rat had previously experienced footshocks (5 x 0.5 mA x 3 s). In non-shocked controls, an increase in gross activity was found and a pronounced tachycardia, without changes in PQ interval. Conditioned fear rats showed immobility behaviour, associated with a less pronounced tachycardia and an increase in PQ interval. Noradrenaline was similarly increased in both groups, whereas adrenaline was increased in conditioned fear rats only. To further evaluate the role of the vagus, rats were exposed to conditioned fear after pre-treatment with atropine methyl nitrate (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Again, immobility was observed with a concomitant tachycardia, but without an increase in PQ interval. These results indicate that the autonomic nervous system is differentially involved in heart rate regulation in conditioned fear rats and in non-shocked controls: in non-shocked controls a predominant sympathetic nervous system activation results in an increase in heart rate, whereas in conditioned fear rats the tachycardiac response is attenuated by a simultaneous activation of sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.