PROPERTIES OF PHRENIC MOTONEURONES

Structural and functional identification of two distinct inspiratory neuronal populations at the level of the phrenic nucleus in the rat cervical spinal cord

The diaphragm is driven by phrenic motoneurons that are located in the cervical spinal cord. Although the anatomical location of the phrenic nucleus and the function of phrenic motoneurons at a single cellular level have been extensively analyzed, the spatiotemporal dynamics of phrenic motoneuron group activity have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we analyzed the functional and structural characteristics of respiratory neuron population in the cervical spinal cord at the level of the phrenic nucleus by voltage imaging, together with histological analysis of neuronal and astrocytic distribution in the cervical spinal cord. We found spatially distinct two cellular populations that exhibited synchronized inspiratory activity on the transversely cut plane at C4–C5 levels and on the ventral surface of the mid cervical spinal cord in the isolated brainstem–spinal cord preparation of the neonatal rat. Inspiratory activity of one group emerged in the central portion of the ventral horn that corresponded to the central motor column, and the other appeared in the medial portion of the ventral horn that corresponded to the medial motor column. We identified by retrogradely labeling study that the anatomical distributions of phrenic and scalene motoneurons coincided with optically detected central and medial motor regions, respectively. Furthermore, we anatomically demonstrated closely located features of putative motoneurons, interneurons and astrocytes in these regions. Collectively, we report that phrenic and scalene motoneuron populations show synchronized inspiratory activities with distinct anatomical locations in the mid cervical spinal cord.

Phrenic motoneurons: output elements of a highly organized intraspinal network

pontomedullary respiratory network generates the respiratory pattern and relays it to bulbar and spinal respiratory motor outputs. The phrenic motor system controlling diaphragm contraction receives and processes descending commands to produce orderly, synchronous, and cycle-to-cycle-reproducible spatiotemporal firing. Multiple investigators have studied phrenic motoneurons (PhMNs) in an attempt to shed light on local mechanisms underlying phrenic pattern formation. I and colleagues (Marchenko V, Ghali MG, Rogers RF. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 308: R916–R926, 2015.) recorded PhMNs in unanesthetized, decerebrate rats and related their activity to simultaneous phrenic nerve (PhN) activity by creating a time-frequency representation of PhMN-PhN power and coherence. On the basis of their temporal firing patterns and relationship to PhN activity, we categorized PhMNs into three classes, each of which emerges as a result of intrinsic biophysical and network properties and organizes the orderly contraction of diaphragm motor fibers. For example, early inspiratory diaphragmatic activation by the early coherent burst generated by high-frequency PhMNs may be necessary to prime it to overcome its initial inertia. We have also demonstrated the existence of a prominent role for local intraspinal inhibitory mechanisms in shaping phrenic pattern formation. The objective of this review is to relate and synthesize recent findings with those of previous studies with the aim of demonstrating that the phrenic nucleus is a region of active local processing, rather than a passive relay of descending inputs.

Axonal projections of Renshaw cells in the thoracic spinal cord

Renshaw cells are widely distributed in all segments of the spinal cord, but detailed morphological studies of these cells and their axonal branching patterns have only been made for lumbosacral segments. For these, a characteristic distribution of terminals was reported, including extensive collateralization within 1-2 mm of the soma, but then more restricted collaterals given off at intervals from the funicular axon. Previous authors have suggested that the projections close to the soma serve inhibition of motoneurons (known to be greatest for the motor nuclei providing the Renshaw cell excitation) but that the distant projections serve mainly the inhibition of other neurons. However, in thoracic segments, inhibition of motoneurons is known to occur over two to three segments (20-40 mm) from the presumed somatic locations of the Renshaw cells. Here, we report the first detailed morphological study of Renshaw cell axons outside the lumbosacral segments, which investigated whether this different distribution of motoneuron inhibition is reflected in a different pattern of Renshaw cell terminations. Four Renshaw cells in T7 or T8 segments were intracellularly labeled with neurobiotin in anesthetized cats and their axons traced for distances ≥6 mm from the somata. The only morphological difference detected within this distance in comparison with Renshaw cells in the lumbosacral cord was a minimal taper in the funicular axons, where in the lumbosacral cord this is pronounced. Patterns of termination were virtually identical to those in the lumbosacral segments, so we conclude that these patterns are unrelated to the pattern of motoneuronal inhibition.

Neural control of phrenic motoneuron discharge

Phrenic motoneurons (PMNs) provide a synaptic relay between bulbospinal respiratory pathways and the diaphragm muscle. PMNs also receive propriospinal inputs, although the functional role of these interneuronal projections has not been established. Here we review the literature regarding PMN discharge patterns during breathing and the potential mechanisms that underlie PMN recruitment. Anatomical and neurophysiological studies indicate that PMNs form a heterogeneous pool, with respiratory-related PMN discharge and recruitment patterns likely determined by a balance between intrinsic MN properties and extrinsic synaptic inputs. We also review the limited literature regarding PMN bursting during respiratory plasticity. Differential recruitment or rate modulation of PMN subtypes may underlie phrenic motor plasticity following neural injury and/or respiratory stimulation; however, this possibility remains relatively unexplored.

Chemosensitivity of cardiac muscle

1. Measurements of contractions, conduction velocity and intracellular potential were made on isolated rabbit atria under four sets of conditions: high bicarbonate/high CO(2) (HH), low bicarbonate/low CO(2) (LL), high bicarbonate/low CO(2) (HL) and low bicarbonate/high CO(2) (LH). The ratio high/low was the same for the bicarbonate and CO(2) concentrations, so that HH had the same pH as LL.2. Acid solutions caused a fall of a few mV in the resting potential, but not in the overshoot. They reduced conduction velocity and rate of rise of the action potential. They depressed contractions, but prolonged the tail of the action potential.3. Alkaline solutions caused the converse changes, but, with the exception of the effect on the duration of the action potential, the relation with pH was markedly alinear, in that a rise in pH had much less effect than an equivalent fall.4. Statistical tests were devised to decide whether the observed changes were associated primarily with pH, P(CO(2) ) or bicarbonate. By far the strongest association was with external pH. Changes in P(CO(2) ), per se, had no significant effect.

Carbon dioxide and pH effects on temperature-sensitive and -insensitive hypothalamic neurons

The preoptic-anterior hypothalamus (POAH) controls body temperature, and thermoregulatory responses are impaired during hypercapnia. If increased CO2 or its accompanying acidosis inhibits warm-sensitive POAH neurons, this could provide an explanation for thermoregulatory impairment during hypercapnia. To test this possibility, extracellular electrophysiological recordings determined the effects of CO2 and pH on the firing rates of both temperature-sensitive and -insensitive neurons in hypothalamic tissue slices from 89 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Firing rate activity was recorded in 121 hypothalamic neurons before, during, and after changing the CO2 concentration aerating the tissue slice chamber or changing the pH of the solution bathing the tissue slices. Increasing the aeration CO2 concentration from 5% (control) to 10% (hypercapnic) had no effect on most (i.e., 69%) POAH temperature-insensitive neurons; however, this hypercapnia inhibited the majority (i.e., 59%) of warm-sensitive neurons. CO2 affected similar proportions of (non-POAH) neurons in other hypothalamic regions. These CO2 effects appear to be due to changes in pH since the CO2-affected neurons responded similarly to isocapnic acidosis (i.e., normal CO2 and decreased pH) but were not responsive to isohydric hypercapnia (i.e., increased CO2 and normal pH). These findings may offer a neural explanation for some heat-related illnesses (e.g., exertional heat stroke) where impaired heat loss is associated with acidosis.

Facilitation of the diaphragm response to transcranial magnetic stimulation by increases in human respiratory drive

The human respiratory neural drive has an automatic component (bulbospinal pathway) and a volitional component (corticospinal pathway). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a hypercapnia-induced increase in the automatic respiratory drive on the function of the diaphragmatic corticospinal pathway as independently as possible of any other influence. Thirteen healthy volunteers breathed room air and then 5 and 7% hyperoxic CO2. Cervical (cms) and transcranial (tms) magnetic stimulations were performed during early inspiration and expiration. Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and surface electromyogram of the diaphragm (DiEMG) and of the abductor pollicis brevis (apbEMG) were recorded in response to cms and tms. During inspiration, Pdi,cms was unaffected by CO2, but Pdi,tms increased significantly with 7% CO2. During expiration, Pdi,cms was significantly reduced by CO2, whereas Pdi,tms was preserved. DiEMG,tms latencies decreased significantly during early inspiration and expiration (air vs. 5% CO2 and air vs. 7% CO2). DiEMG,tms amplitude increased significantly in response to early expiration-tms (air vs. 5% CO2 and air vs. 7% CO2) but not in response to early inspiration-tms. DiEMG,cms latencies and amplitudes were not affected by CO2 whereas 7% CO2 significantly increased the apbEMG,cms latency. The apbEMG,tms vs. apbEMG,cms latency difference was unaffected by CO2. In conclusion, increasing the automatic drive to breathe facilitates the response of the diaphragm to tms, during both inspiration and expiration. This could allow the corticospinal drive to breathe to keep the capacity to modulate respiration in conditions under which the automatic respiratory control is stimulated.

Hypercapnic impairment of neuromuscular function is related to afferent depression

Acetazolamide (ACZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, results in altered neuromuscular function secondary to depressed afferent transmission in intact humans. One effect of ACZ is hypercapnia. Thus, to test if the neuromuscular depression observed following ACZ treatment is related to elevated CO(2), human subjects ( n=10) were exposed to 15 min of room air (0% CO(2)) or hypercapnia (7% inspired CO(2)), and neuromuscular function was evaluated. Isometric force (36.8 to 31.1 N) and peak-to-peak electromyographic amplitude (EMG, 1.5 to 1.0 mV) associated with an Achilles tendon tap, and soleus H(max):M(max) ratio (69.0 to 62.2%) were depressed, while EMG latency (34.8 to 39.8 ms) was increased by hypercapnia. Reflex recovery profiles (following a conditioning tap to the contralateral Achilles tendon), motor nerve conduction velocity, amplitude of the maximum M-wave, and peak twitch tension at M(max) were unaltered by hypercapnia. We conclude that elevated CO(2) impairs neuromuscular function through effects on afferent transmission or synaptic integrity between type Ia fibers of the muscle spindle and the alpha motor neuron, without affecting the muscle spindle, efferent conduction or skeletal muscle force-generating capacity.

Clinical value of ipsi- and contralateral sacral reflex latency measurement: a normative data study in man

The latency of the bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) evoked by electrical stimulation of the penis provides a measure of the conduction velocity over the sacral reflex arc at the S2-4 level but does not allow evaluation of the side affected since it results from the simultaneous excitation of both dorsal nerves of the penis (DNP) at the penile root. To evaluate the reliability of the side-to-side BCR latency measurement, this study compared the reflex characteristics of the response elicited by both DNP stimulation and unilateral DNP block. After a unilateral selective DNP anesthesic block, we found that the early response of the contralateral BCR is strictly ipsilateral with no differences in terms of latency, morphology, and reflex threshold from controls. This result may indicate that the side-to-side BCR latency measurement allows a comparative study of the respective right and left sacral reflex arcs in men. We found a mean inter-latency difference of 1.8 +/- 0.4 millisecond of the early BCR response after simultaneous recording of the right and left sides in 10 normal men. We established that an inter-latency difference >3 milliseconds may be indicative of a significant alteration in the conduction over the sacral reflex arc.

Acetazolamide reduces peripheral afferent transmission in humans

Carbonic anhydrase has been localized in skeletal muscle and nerve, thus, inhibition with acetazolamide (ACZ) may alter nerve and/or muscle function in healthy humans. ACZ (3 oral doses 14, 8, and 2 h prior to testing) reduced isometric force (37%) and peak to peak electromyographic (EMG) amplitude (1.38 mV to 0.83 mV), while increasing EMG latency associated with a unilateral Achilles tendon-tap. Reflex recovery profiles, following a contralateral conditioning tap, were similar in both placebo and ACZ experiments. ACZ led to significant changes in Hmax/Mmax ratio (52.19/14.42 to 45.73/15.65) and H-reflex latency (34.18 +/- 2.54 ms to 35.24 +/- 2.74 ms). Motor nerve conduction velocity and maximal voluntary isometric torque (knee extensors) were unaltered by ACZ. These data suggest that inhibition of the tendon-tap reflex and associated isometric force, following ACZ, is related to impairment of synaptic integrity between la fibers of the muscle spindle and the alpha motor neuron and not impairment of the muscle spindle or force-generating capacity.

Effects of stimulation of phrenic afferents on cervical respiratory interneurones and phrenic motoneurones in cats

1. In ten decerebrate, paralysed and ventilated cats, we tested the hypothesis that cervical (C5) respiratory interneurones mediate inhibition of phrenic motoneurone activity resulting from single shocks to the phrenic nerve. 2. Stimulus intensities sufficient to activate all afferents elicited (latency, 4.0 +/- 0.9 ms, mean +/- S.D.) a graded suppression of ipsilateral, but not contralateral (five of seven cats) phrenic nerve activity lasting, in six of seven cats, more than 70 ms and interrupted by a brief (approximately 6-18 ms duration) excitation at latencies between 7 and 30 ms. 3. In twenty-five ipsilateral motoneurones, peristimulus time average of the membrane potentials (-61 +/- 10 mV) showed no effect in eleven; of the fourteen that responded, ten had initial EPSPs (latency, 17.6 +/- 3.0 ms) and four initial IPSPs (latencies, 2.25-4.3 ms). Only one motoneurone had both. No responses with latencies > 60 ms were observed. 4. Peristimulus time averages of extracellular activity of thirty ipsilateral interneurones, twenty-five firing in inspiration (I) and five in expiration (E), showed diverse responses. The initial response of I interneurones was an excitation in eleven, a suppression of activity in nine, and no response in five. Latencies of excitations ranged from 2 to 36.5 ms (median, 14 ms) with durations ranging from 2 to 7 ms (mean, 4.4 +/- 1.6 ms). Latencies of suppression of activity ranged from 2 to 29 ms (median, 10 ms). Two E interneurones were excited (latencies, 11 and 15 ms; durations, 3.5 and 2 ms), two inhibited (latencies, 2 and 12 ms; durations, > 40 and 17 ms, respectively), and one did not respond. 5. In nine interneurones (seven I, two E), peristimulus time averages of the membrane potentials (mean, -62 +/- 14 mV) revealed no effect on three (all I). Of the six that responded, four (three I) had initial IPSPs, two (one I, one E) initial EPSPs. EPSPs had latencies of 11.5 (I interneurone) and 22 ms (E interneurone); the latencies of the IPSPs were 2.75, 3.20, and 2.3 ms for the I interneurones and 15.9 ms for the E interneurone). No responses with latencies > 30 ms were observed. 6. The diverse responses of cervical respiratory interneurones indicates that they do not mediate the prolonged suppression of ipsilateral phrenic activity elicited by stimulation of phrenic afferents. The suppression may result from activation of normally quiescent inhibitory interneurones or from presynaptic inhibition.

In vitro responses of caudal hypothalamic neurons to hypoxia and hypercapnia

Results from previous studies have suggested that the hypothalamus modulates cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia and/or hypercapnia. Many neurons in the caudal hypothalamus are stimulated by hypercapnia and hypoxia in vivo; however, it is not known if these responses are dependent upon input from other areas. Whole-cell patch and extracellular recordings from a brain slice preparation were used in the present study to determine the direct effects of hypoxia (5% CO2/95% N2 or 10% O2/5% CO2/85% N2) and hypercapnia (7% CO2/93% O2) on caudal hypothalamic neurons in vitro. Coronal sections (400-500 microns) were obtained from young Sprague-Dawley rats and placed in a recording chamber that was perfused with nutrient media equilibrated with 95% O2/5% CO2. Extracellular recordings demonstrated that hypoxia stimulated over 80% of the neurons tested; the magnitude of the response was dependent upon the degree of hypoxia. In addition, over 80% of cells that were excited by hypoxia retained this response during synaptic blockade. Hypercapnia increased the discharge frequency of 22% of the caudal hypothalamic neurons that were studied. A second set of caudal hypothalamic neurons were studied with whole-cell patch recordings; the mean resting membrane potential of these neurons was -51.8 +/- 1.0 mV with an average input resistance of 399 +/- 49 M omega. Hypoxia produced a depolarization in 76% of these neurons; a poststimulus hyperpolarization often occurred. A depolarization and/or increase in discharge rate during hypercapnia was observed in 35% of the neurons tested. Only 10% of all neurons studied were excited by both hypoxia and hypercapnia. These findings suggest that separate subpopulations of caudal hypothalamic neurons are sensitive to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Thus, this hypothalamic area may be a site of central hypoxic and hypercapnic chemoreception.

Depolarization and stimulation of neurons in nucleus tractus solitarii by carbon dioxide does not require chemical synaptic input

The effects of elevated CO2 (i.e. hypercapnia) on neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii were studied using extracellular (n = 82) and intracellular (n = 33) recording techniques in transverse brain slices prepared from rat. Synaptic connections from putative chemosensitive neurons in the ventrolateral medulla were removed by bisecting each transverse slice and discarding the ventral half. In addition, the response to hypercapnia in 20 neurons was studied during high magnesium-low calcium synaptic blockade. Sixty-five per cent of the neurons (n = 75) tested were either insensitive or inhibited by hypercapnia. However, 35% (n = 40) were depolarized and/or increased their firing rate during hypercapnia. Nine out of 10 CO2-excited neurons retained their chemosensitivity to CO2 in the presence of high magnesium-low calcium synaptic blockade medium. Our findings demonstrate that many neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii were depolarized and/or increased their firing rate during hypercapnia. These neurons were not driven synaptically by putative chemosensitive neurons of the ventrolateral medulla since this region was removed from the slice. Furthermore, because chemosensitivity persisted in most neurons tested during synaptic blockade, we conclude that some neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii are inherently CO2-chemosensitive. Although the function of dorsal medullary chemosensitive neurons cannot be determined in vitro, their location and their inherent chemosensitivity suggest a role in cardiorespiratory central chemoreception.

CO2 decreases membrane conductance and depolarizes neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii

To identify central sites of potential CO2/H+-chemoreceptive neurons, and the mechanism responsible for neuronal chemosensitivity, intracellular recordings were made in rat tissue slices in two cardiopulmonary-related regions (i.e., nucleus tractus solitarii, NTS; nucleus ambiguus, AMBc) during exposure to high CO2. When the NTS was explored slices were bisected and the ventral half discarded. Utilizing such "dorsal" medullary slices removed any impinging synaptic input from putative chemoreceptors in the ventrolateral medulla. In the NTS, CO2-induced changes in firing rate were associated with membrane depolarizations ranging from 2-25 mV (n = 15). In some cases increased e.p.s.p. activity was observed during CO2 exposure. The CO2-induced depolarization occurred concomitantly with an increased input resistance ranging from 19-23 M omega (n = 5). The lower membrane conductance during hypercapnia suggests that CO2-induced depolarization is due to a decreased outward potassium conductance. Unlike neurons in the NTS, AMBc neurons were not spontaneously active and were rarely depolarized by hypercapnia. Eleven of 12 cells tested were either hyperpolarized by or insensitive to CO2. Only 1 neuron in the AMBc was depolarized and it also showed an increased input resistance during CO2 exposure. Our findings suggest that CO2/H+-related stimuli decrease potassium conductance which depolarizes the cell and increases firing rate. Although our in vitro studies cannot guarantee the specific function of these cells, we believe they may be involved with brain pH homeostasis and cardiopulmonary regulation.

Excitatory interactions between phrenic motoneurons: intracellular study in the cat

1. Intracellular recordings were made from 220 Phrenic Motoneurons (PM) in anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing cats, deafferented from C3 to C7, in order to look for somatic events related to the Recurrent Responses (RR) evoked in PM axons by repetitive stimulation of the phrenic nerve. RR appear sporadically at a constant latency, originate from a spinal nicotinic mechanism and can be evoked in a PM without the presence of an antidromic volley in its axon (Khatib et al. 1986). 2. Using stimuli effective for eliciting RR in axons, we failed to observe intracellularly somatic events corresponding to RR after the occurrence of an antidromic action potential. RR were observed extracellularly in two cases, but in both cases the recording originated from axons. 3. We attempted to elicit somatic RR without a preceding antidromic action potential, using either parathreshold stimulation of the impaled PM, or suprathreshold stimulation of a phrenic strand which excluded the axon of the impaled PM. In both cases, RR-like events, with very stable latencies, appeared sporadically in 4/142 and 2/15 PMs respectively. 4. Parathreshold stimuli or stimulation of a strand were coupled with averaging of the synaptic noise in order to look for small events temporally related to the stimuli. Short latency small depolarizations, looking-like recurrent EPSPs, were revealed in 22/142 and 5/15 PMs respectively. 5. These results confirm the existence of interrelations between PMs, providing for re-excitation and coupling within the phrenic pool, in addition to centrally imposed synchronization.

Recurrent inhibitory connexions among neck motoneurones in the cat

1. Intracellular recordings were made from motoneurones innervating neck muscles in the cat. Dorsal roots were cut and muscle nerves electrically stimulated to activate alpha motor axons. 2. Recurrent inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s) evoked by antidromic volleys in homonymous or heteronymous nerves were found in the majority of motoneurones studied, including those to dorsal neck muscles (biventer cervicis, splenius and complexus) as well as to occipitoscapularis and levator scapulae ventralis. 3. Central latencies of the recurrent i.p.s.p.s indicate disynaptic transmission. Amplitudes ranged from 100 microV (criterion level) to 2.2 mV. Average amplitudes were less than 0.6 mV. 4. The recurrent i.p.s.p.s were distributed to non-synergistic as well as to synergistic motoneurones. Analysis of relative strength of recurrent inhibition indicates influence of proximity of motoneurone pools, functional relatedness of muscles, as well as other factors. Variation in intrinsic motoneuronal properties probably underlies positive correlations (independent of variation in resting potential) between recurrent i.p.s.p.s evoked from different sources in motoneurones of a single pool. 5. Recordings (mainly extracellular) were also made from interneurones (Renshaw cells), located in the C3 and C4 segments of the spinal cord, that were excited by antidromic volleys in muscle nerves. The response varied from a single action potential to a burst of up to nineteen action potentials. Central latencies to the first response indicate monosynaptic transmission. Many Renshaw cells were excited by antidromic volleys in several muscle nerves, though this was restricted to nerves of the same segmental level as the Renshaw cell. All the muscle nerves studied were effective in activating Renshaw cells. 6. The results indicate that in many ways the recurrent i.p.s.p.s and the responses of Renshaw cells recorded in the neck segments resemble those in the hind-limb segments. Thus, the basic organization of recurrent inhibition in the neck segments resembles that occurring elsewhere in the spinal cord. A difference is the tendency for recurrent i.p.s.p.s in neck motoneurones to be relatively small in amplitude and Renshaw cell responses to be less strong than those recorded in the hind-limb segments. It is suggested that this is related to the segmentation of neck muscles and their motoneurone pools. 7. It is concluded that recurrent inhibition is a prominent feature of spinal organization governing neck muscles. It can therefore be expected to participate in control of head movements.

Effects of carbon dioxide on preoptic thermosensitive neurons in vitro

Effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the firing rates of preoptic thermosensitive neurons were examined in rat brain slice preparations. The perfusing medium was saturated with gas mixtures consisting of 90% O2 and one of various concentrations (5%, 6.3%, 7.5%, and 10%) of CO2 balanced with N2. The medium containing 5% CO2 was used as control. Most preoptic neurons were inhibited during application of a high CO2 medium. An excitatory effect of CO2 on a small number of neurons was also significant, although this was weak and transient compared to the inhibitory effect. Thermosensitivities of the neurons did not correlate with their CO2 sensitivities. The influence of CO2 tended to be more evident at higher temperatures. We conclude that the direct effect of CO2 on PO thermosensitive neurons as well as on thermally insensitive neurons is mainly inhibitory.

Responses of phrenic motoneurones of the cat to stimulation of medullary raphe nuclei

Responses of phrenic motoneurones to stimulation of the three medullary raphe nuclei (raphe magnus (r. magnus), raphe obscurus (r. obscurus) and raphe pallidus (r. pallidus] were recorded in anaesthetized and decerebrated cats. Stimulation of r. magnus or r. obscurus depressed phrenic motoneurones. Stimulation at 100 Hz reduced action potential frequency within each inspiratory burst, without appreciable changes in inspiratory duration, or number of inspiratory bursts per unit time. The depression was proportional to the stimulus intensity (40-160 microA) and frequency (12-100 Hz) and lasted throughout the period of stimulation. Intracellular recording revealed concomitant depression of central respiratory drive potentials (c.r.d.p.s) and increased membrane input resistance during r. obscurus or r. magnus stimulation. In motoneurones which discharged action potentials during expiratory as well as inspiratory phases following intracellular chloride injection, stimulation of r. magnus or r. obscurus depressed cell firing during both phases. Both c.r.d.p.s and reversed inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s) were depressed. These findings indicate that the depression is not related to post-synaptic inhibition of phrenic motoneurones. Stimulation (100 Hz) of r. pallidus produced discharges of action potentials in phrenic motoneurones. Stimulation lengthened the duration of each inspiratory discharge in proportion to stimulus intensity. Continuous firing occurred throughout the period of stimulation with maximal intensities. Intracellular recordings revealed sustained depolarization and reduction in membrane input resistance during the discharge. Responses were recorded extracellularly from medullary inspiratory neurones of the dorsal respiratory group (d.r.g.) and ventral respiratory group (v.r.g.) and from vagal axons which fired in phase with phrenic nerve activity. Responses to raphe stimulation were similar to those recorded from phrenic motoneurones. Evidence is presented that the responses are not related to stimulation of decussating bulbo-spinal axons from d.r.g. or v.r.g. neurones. It is suggested that medullary respiratory neurones receive inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs from medullary raphe neurones. Hypercapnia (5% CO2 in O2) or hypoxia (15% O2 in N2) reduced markedly the inhibition produced during stimulation of r. obscurus or r. magnus, and restored expiratory-linked silent periods during stimulation of r. pallidus. Activation of Hering-Breuer or baroreceptor reflexes did not alter responses to r. pallidus stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Decreased excitability of respiratory motoneurons during hypercapnia in the acute spinal cat

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of hypercapnia on the excitability of respiratory motoneurons. The action of CO2 on phrenic (inspiratory) and internal intercostal (expiratory) motoneurons was compared with that exerted on non-respiratory motoneurons of the musculocutaneous nerve. The experiments were performed on spinalized (C1 segment), partially deafferented cats that were exposed to different CO2/O2 mixtures (end-tidal CO2 3 +/- 0.3, 6 +/- 0.5 and 9 +/- 0.5%). Changes in neuronal excitability were assessed by: measuring the amplitudes of antidromic field potentials recorded from a population of motoneurons; analysis of the amplitude and latency of the orthodromic response recorded from a given nerve and evoked by microstimulation within the corresponding motor nucleus; monitoring the membrane potentials during intracellular recordings from phrenic motoneurons; and recording ongoing activity of the phrenic and internal intercostal nerves. Hypercapnia (end-tidal CO2 6 +/- 0.5 or 9 +/- 0.5%) decreased the excitability of phrenic and musculocutaneous motoneurons, the effect being larger at the higher CO2 level. Internal intercostal motoneurons were generally more resistant to the effects of CO2. A depression of their excitability was observed only at end-tidal CO2 9 +/- 0.5%. The decreased excitability of phrenic motoneurons was associated with membrane hyperpolarization. It is concluded that the depressant action of CO2 is present in both respiratory and non-respiratory spinal motoneurons. The action of hypercapnia on respiratory motoneurons may oppose the excitatory effects exerted through specific chemoreflexes.

Central drive on Renshaw cells coupled with phrenic motoneurons

In anesthetized spontaneously breathing cats (C4-C5 deafferentation), recurrent inhibition of phrenic motoneurons was analyzed by studying either recurrent IPSPs in phrenic motoneurons, or Renshaw cell discharges evoked by C5 phrenic nerve stimulation. Of 90 intracellularly recorded phrenic motoneurons, 7 motoneurons showed evoked recurrent IPSPs with stimulation of C5 phrenic axons subthreshold for eliciting antidromic activation of the motoneuron from which intracellular recording was done. These IPSPs could be reversed by imposed hyperpolarization of the motoneuron, and were of greater amplitude during inspiration than during expiration. Within the phrenic nucleus, interneurons were classified as Renshaw cells if they responded to C5 phrenic axon stimulation with a typical high frequency burst of potentials. Reactivity of these Renshaw cells was related to the respiratory cycle, number of spikes in the burst being greater during inspiration than during expiration. Injection of a nicotinic cholinergic blocker (mecamylamine) decreased responses of Renshaw cells but the respiratory modulation was still present. Some Renshaw cells (18/33) were spontaneously active during inspiration. Their activity was generally maximal during the last third of inspiration. Since: spontaneous activity of Renshaw cells is related to the respiratory drive; persists after C7 spinal transection and after mecamylamine poisoning of the axonal recurrent pathway; and might appear before sustained phrenic activity, the assumption of a central respiratory drive impinging on the Renshaw cells has to be retained.

Excitatory interactions between phrenic motoneurons in the cat

Interactions between phrenic motoneurons have been analysed in anaesthetized, paralyzed cats after C3 to C7 deafferentation. Effects of electrical stimulation of the C5 phrenic axons have been studied on thin filaments dissected from the stimulated nerve. Repetitive stimulation could elicit, after the primary direct response of the stimulated axons, a secondary response named Recurrent Response, RR. RRs have been obtained in 117/186 phrenic axons. They appear sporadically (mean occurrence: 3.75 RRs elicited by 100 shocks of stimulation) at a constant latency. They originate from a spinal mechanism since they persist after C2 transection and disappear after section of the ventral roots. The mechanism responsible for RR shows spatial and temporal facilitation. The RR probability increases with the number of antidromically invaded motoneurons as revealed by changes either of stimulation intensity or of central respiratory drive. However, RR could be evoked in a motoneuron without an antidromic volley in its axon. Systemic injections of nicotinic blocking drugs such as dihydro-beta-erythroidine or mecamylamine decrease or suppress the occurrence of RR; therefore, cholinergic synapses are involved in the RR generating process. RR are assumed to be due to direct excitatory interactions between homonymous motoneurons. Recurrent axon collaterals impinging directly on neighbouring motoneurons would link together the different motoneurons of the phrenic pool. The functional significance of this phenomenon is discussed.

Excitatory and inhibitory effects of morphine on the intercostal-to-phrenic respiratory reflex

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intravenously administered morphine on the intercostal-to-phrenic reflex in spinal (C1) cats. The carotid and vertebral arteries were ligated. In addition a metal clamp was placed around the neck and tightened in order to occlude all blood flow to the brain. The animals were vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated artificially. End-tidal PCO2 and body temperature were kept constant by means of servocontrollers. The intercostal-to-phrenic reflex was activated by rhythmic tapping of the lower thorax anteriorly with a metal bar. Three different doses of morphine were used. The smallest dose (1 mg/kg) caused a marked stimulation of phrenic activity that lasted for more than 5 min. A larger dose (10 mg/kg) had only a mild excitatory effect. A much larger dose (50 mg/kg), on the other hand, caused inhibition of evoked phrenic activity. Possible mechanisms involved in mediating the dose dependent effects of morphine on the intercostal-to-phrenic reflex are discussed.

Comparison of phrenic motoneuron activity in eupnea and apneusis

Our purpose was to characterize activities of phrenic motoneurons during apneusis. In decerebrate, cerebellectomized, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated cats, we recorded activities of phrenic nerve and single phrenic fibers during eupnea and apneusis. Reversible apneusis was obtained by cooling the rostral pons with a fork thermode. Phrenic motoneurons were defined as 'early' or 'late' during eupnea. Early units commenced activity before or during the first 20% of neural inspiration. The onset of discharge of late units extended throughout the rest of inspiration. In apneusis, some late units ceased activity entirely; others commenced activity at the end of the rising phase of phrenic activity or during the apneustic plateau. Early units commenced activities at the same time as in eupnea and generally maintained the same discharge frequency. Hence, the ramp phase of phrenic discharge in apneusis is generated largely by activities of early motoneurons. Our results imply that the level of bulbospinal activity impinging upon the phrenic nucleus is reduced in apneusis. The integration of efferent activity within the phrenic nucleus is discussed.

Projection of phrenic afferents to the external cuneate nucleus in the cat

The present study, performed on anesthetized, spontaneously breathing cats, deals with the projection of group I and II muscle afferents of the phrenic nerve (PN) to the external cuneate nucleus (ECN). Stimulation of the central end of the PN evoked a complex response in the ipsilateral ECN. Two principal components could be distinguished in this potential from the respective absolute refractory periods (ARP) and from the effect of antidromic stimulation in the ECN. Thus, the early group of waves may correspond to recordings of direct fibers and the later group to postsynaptic activations within the ECN. Similar to the forelimb nerves and intercostal nerves of the upper intercostal spaces, the larger muscle afferents of the PN project to the ECN.

The ultrastructure and synaptic architecture of phrenic motor neurons in the spinal cord of the adult rat

Although light microscopic studies have analysed phrenic motor neurons in several different species, there has never been an ultrastructural investigation of identified phrenic motor neurons. In addition, electrophysiological studies have raised questions relating to the function of phrenic motor neurons which may be answered only by direct electron microscopic investigation. Thus, the present study was carried out to provide a detailed ultrastructural analysis of identified phrenic motor neurons. Phrenic motor neurons in the spinal cord of the rat were labelled by retrogradely transported horseradish peroxidase (HRP) after transecting the phrenic nerve in the neck and applying the enzyme directly to the central stump of the transected nerve. The results showed that the general ultrastructural characteristics of phrenic motor neurons were similar to those previously reported for other spinal motor neurons. However, phrenic primary dendrites appeared to be isolated from all other dendritic profiles in the neuropil. Primary dendrites were not fasciculated. Fasciculation occurred only among the more distal secondary and tertiary phrenic dendritic branches. Direct dendrodendritic or dendrosomatic apposition was rarely seen; gap junctions between directly apposing phrenic neuronal membranes were not observed. The membranes of adjacent phrenic neuronal profiles were most frequently separated by intervening sheaths of astroglial processes. Myelinated phrenic axons and a phrenic axon collateral were identified. The initial portion of the phrenic axon collateral was cone-shaped, lacked myelin, and thus resembled a miniature axon hillock. In one instance, a large accumulation of polyribosomes was observed within the hillock-like structure of a phrenic axon collateral. Eight morphological types of synaptic boutons, M, P, NFs, S, NFf, F, G and C were classified according to criteria used by previous investigators. Most of these endings (M, NFs, NFf, S and F) made synaptic contact with profiles of labelled phrenic somata and dendrites. F, NFf, and S boutons also terminated on phrenic axon hillocks. C and G boutons contacted exclusively phrenic somata and small calibre dendrites, respectively. P boutons established axo-axonic synaptic contacts with the M and NFs bouton. The morphological findings of the present study provide new data that may be related to phrenic synchronized output and presynaptic inhibition of primary afferents terminating on phrenic motor neurons.

Spontaneous respiratory activity of phrenic and intercostal Renshaw cells

Activity of Renshaw cells evoked by electrical stimulation of either phrenic or internal intercostal axons was extracellularly recorded in anaesthetized spontaneously breathing cats. The response of all the studied units to antidromic invasion of the corresponding motoneurones was related to the respiratory cycle and some units displayed spontaneous respiratory activity. Recurrent IPSPs were recorded on phrenic and intercostal motoneurones.

Onset and control of expiratory laryngeal discharge: cross-correlation analysis

In anaesthetized, paralysed and artificially ventilated cats, spontaneous activity of pairs of expiratory laryngeal motoneurones was recorded and submitted on line to cross-correlation analysis in order to reveal the underlying mechanisms which govern their discharge. In 45/52 pairs, flat cross-correlograms were obtained suggesting independency between the expiratory laryngeal motoneurones. Synchronization by common central respiratory drive was never observed. This negative result is in agreement with the post-inhibitory rebound hypothesis put forward to explain the discharge of expiratory laryngeal motoneurones. In 7/52 pairs, cross-correlation revealed a bell-shaped increase of probability of firing which is relevant with broad synchronization of the discharges by common peripheral afferents.

Difference between actions of high PCO2 and low [HCO-3] on neurons in the rat medullary chemosensitive areas in vitro

To evaluate the contribution of extracellular fluid (ECF) pH in stimulating the ventral medullary chemosensors, effects on neuronal activities of changing ECF PCO2 and/or [HCO-3] were studied in tissue slices taken from the medulla oblongata of the rat. In many cases changes in neuronal discharges produced by a high PCO2-normal [HCO-3] solution differed from those produced by a low [HCO-3] normal PCO2 solution although the ECF pH was reduced to the same degree (from 7.40 to about 7.15). Only 9 of a total of 76 neurons showed an increase in discharge in response to both acid solutions. Neuronal activation due to high PCO2 was augmented when the ECF pH was returned to a normal value (7.40) by simultaneous increase in [HCO-3]. High PCO2-high [HCO-3] solution (pH 7.40) increased the activity of many neurons which were either inhibited or uninfluenced by high PCO2-normal [HCO-3] (pH 7.15). Neuronal activation due to low [HCO-3] was partially suppressed by compensating for the pH reduction with a concomitant decrease in PCO2. The results suggest that CO2 and HCO-3 independently influence the activity of neurons. Possible roles of ECF H+, CO2 and HCO-3 in activating the ventral medullary chemosensitive structures are discussed.

Morphology of cat phrenic motoneurons as revealed by intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase

The morphology of phrenic motoneurons (PMs) of adult cat was examined by utilizing the technique of intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase. Twenty-one cells were reconstructed from serial sections in transverse, sagittal, and horizontal planes. The cell bodies were ellipsoid, with the major diameter oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord. The dendrites of PMs are not distributed in a radially symmetric fashion, but rather project to four separate fields. The field containing the greatest number of dendrites extends rostrocaudally within the phrenic motor column. This collection of dendrites forms a rostrocaudal bundle in which the dendrites from neighboring PMs lie in close association with one another. The remaining dendrites project dorsolaterally, dorsomedially, and to a lesser extent, ventrally. The dorsolaterally directed dendrites from bundles upon entering the lateral funiculus with the dendrites from other PMs. Several of the dorsomedially directed dendrites cross to the contralateral spinal cord via the anterior commissure or central gray. A wide variety of dendritic spines and appendages was observed. There were not instances in which axon collaterals were observed for the 11 well-stained axons examined. The length of the initial segment of the axon was a function of the distance of the cell body from the ventral funiculus.

Does low pH stimulate central chemoreceptors located near the ventral medullary surface?

An in vitro preparation of the medulla oblongata of the rat was used to examine the responses to reducing pH, at constant CO2, of neurons in several identified nuclei. Neurons in an area close to the ventral surface, which is thought to be the location of pH-sensitive central respiratory chemoreceptors, did not respond differently from neurons in other medullary nuclei.

Changes in the distribution of the extrajunctional acetylcholine sensitivity along muscle fibers during development and following cordotomy in the rat

Acetylcholine sensitivity along the entire length of muscle fibers was studied during postnatal development and following transection of the spinal cord in the rat. During postnatal development, the acetylcholine sensitivity in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles decreased faster at the juxtajunctional region than near the tendons. Thus, the adult pattern of low acetylcholine sensitivity at the extrajunctional membrane was achieved through the uneven change of acetylcholine sensitivity during normal development. This uneven pattern of the sensitivity was found to appear in both muscles in older rats after cordotomy, and is in striking contrast to the uniform pattern in denervated muscles. The uneven appearance of the sensitivity could not be explained by changes in input resistance or resting membrane potential. In the soleus muscle whose nerve was implanted at an ectopic site, the lowest sensitivity also appeared at the ectopic juxtajunctional region after cordotomy. These results indicate that the motor nerve exerts regionally different effects along a fiber with respect to the appearance of acetylcholine receptors.

Effect of CO2 on neurons of the house cricket, Acheta domestica

The effect of elevated levels of CO2 on the neurons of the metathoracic ganglion of the common house cricket was examined. Elevated CO2 produced a profound depolarization of the neurons without a substantial change in conductance. The depolarization was not due to CO2 acidification of the external solution since exposure of the neurons to a solution which was nominally CO2 free, but at an acid pH, produced little effect. The effect of elevated CO2 appeared to be due to intracellular acidification, since other treatments which acidified the cell interior also produced depolarization. Agents which block intracellular pH regulation also substantially enhance the effect and prevent recovery. The mechanism producing the depolarization appears to be blockage of a metabolic component of the resting potential, since the action of metabolic blockers mimics the effect of elevated CO2.

Central respiratory drive and recruitment order of phrenic and inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones

Central respiratory drive and recruitment order of phrenic motoneurones and inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones were studied in anaesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated cats. Unitary activities of pairs of motoneurones originating from the same population were recorded on thin filaments. Differences of recruitment during inspiration enabled distinction to be made between early (E) and late (L) recruited motoneurones. 'On-line' cross-correlation analyses were performed on either homogeneous pairs (2E or 2L) or heterogeneous pairs (1E and 1L). In 14/30 pairs of phrenic motoneurones and 26/32 pairs of inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones cross-correlation analysis revealed a bell-shaped increase of probability of firing whose characteristics indicate synchronization by central shared excitatory inputs originating from central respiratory drive. For phrenic motoneurones synchronization appeared mainly in homogeneous pairs (2E:7/11; 2L:5/9) whereas motoneurones of heterogeneous pairs rarely shared the same central respiratory drive (2/10). For inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones, cases of synchronization were equally obtained in homogeneous (2E:8/10; 2L:14/16) and heterogeneous (4/6) pairs. These results suggest that differences of recruitment order during inspiration are related: (i) for phrenic motoneurones, partly to differences of excitability but mainly to a dual central respiratory drive which is assumed to divide the population into two components; (ii) for inspiratory laryngeal motoneurones to differences of excitability since all the motoneurones share the same drive.

Postnatal development of the discharge pattern of phrenic motor units in the kitten

The postnatal change of the mean frequency (F), the maximal frequency (FM) and the onset frequency (FO) of discharge of kitten phrenic motor units was studied and compared to adult values. The latency (recruitment time) and duration of discharge of phrenic units were also analyzed. In kittens less than 3 weeks old, there were relatively few early units (latency less than or equal to 10% of phrenic discharge duration), TI). The duration of discharge of early and late units, expressed in percentage of TI, was the same in kittens and adult cats, and the duration of discharge of the early units was greater than that of the late units. In kittens, F, FM and FO of the early and late units were always greater than in adult cats. In adult cat, as in Kittens, F, FM and FO of early units were not significantly greater than those of late units. In conclusion, the relatively small number of early units in kittens may reflect either a small number of active early bulbo-spinal neurons or may be linked to the electrical and morphological properties of phrenic motoneurons in the kitten.

Central respiratory drive potentials and membrane potential trajectories in phrenic motoneurons

Membrane potential trajectories were quantitatively assessed during the burst phase of cat phrenic motoneuron discharges. During burst progression the after-hyperpolarization shifted in the depolarizing direction with little change in spike threshold. Argument is made that these results constitute indirect evidence for the accumulation of potassium ions in the extracellular space of the phrenic motoneuron pool. Functional consequences regarding cell synchronization and recruitment are also discussed.

Input-output relationships of central neural circuits involved in respiration in cats

1. Inspiratory output responses, measured as integrated phrenic activity, to hypercapnia, to unilateral and bilateral carotid sinus nerve stimulation and to combinations of these stimuli were determined in paralysed, vagotomized and glomectomized cats whose end-tidal P(CO2) was kept constant by means of a servo-controlled ventilator. In addition, the effect on these responses of the mechanism that causes the respiratory after-discharge was determined.2. Above the threshold for rhythmic activity, the inspiratory response to hypercapnic stimulation of the central chemoreceptor was curvilinear, showing progressively smaller increments of output for equal increments of P(CO2) as the latter became higher.3. The combining of stimuli from right and left carotid sinus nerves failed to show an algebraically additive effect; the response was approximately 70% of that predicted from a summing of the separate stimuli given alone.4. The response to a constant carotid sinus nerve test stimulus was progressively decreased in magnitude as the pre-stimulus level of respiratory activity was increased by conditioning stimulation of the central chemoreceptors by hypercapnia, by stimulation of the opposite carotid sinus nerve or by the mechanism that generates an after-discharge.5. From a descriptive standpoint, our findings show that there is a negative or hypoadditive interaction between the peripheral and central inputs at the level of the central respiratory controller. However, we present evidence that, rather than being a specific interaction between peripheral and central inputs, the response is due to the properties of a neural component of the central pathway. This component is common to both inputs and develops progressive saturation of its neural elements as its activity increases.6. In addition, the neural mechanism which generates a respiratory after-discharge appears to saturate completely at a lower level of inspiratory activity than that at which the common pathway develops complete saturation. This finding supports the idea that this mechanism represents an independent input to the respiratory controller.7. Because the described a-linear response characteristics of the central respiratory controller are due to its inherent neuronal properties rather than to specific interactions between inputs, we suggest that studies of such ;interactions' must be interpreted with this consideration in mind.

Recurrent inhibition of intercostal motoneurones in the cat

1. The external and internal intercostal nerves of a single intercostal space were stimulated in anaesthetized paralysed cats with dorsal roots cut in the corresponding spinal cord segment. 2. Extracellular recording in the ventral horn revealed single units which fired short high frequency bursts of spikes at short latency to stimulation of either or both of the two nerves at stimulus strengths appropriate to the activation of alpha motor axons. These units were deduced to be Renshaw cells. 3. Small (0.1-0.2 mV) hyperpolarizing potentials of duration up to 50 msec were recorded intracellularly in both inspiratory and expiratory motoneurones of the same segment. Latencies and thresholds were appropriate for disynaptic i.p.s.p.s evoked by collaterals of alpha motor axons. 4. The changes in probability of firing following the stimuli were examined for inspiratory alpha motoneurones by constructing post-stimulus histograms of efferent discharges recorded from filaments of the external intercostal nerve of the segment stimulated and from other segments. 5. A period of reduced probability of firing of up to 24 msec duration, corresponding in all respects to disynaptic inhibition from alpha motor axon collaterals, was seen in the segment stimulated and up to three segments distant, though declining in intensity with distance. Either nerve could evoke such inhibition although that evoked from the internal intercostal nerve was stronger, as were the intensities of the Renshaw cell discharges. 6. We conclude that recurrent inhibition, via Renshaw cells which have axons up to 30 mm in length, is present for intercostal motoneurones. Arguments are adduced to show that although the effects from stimulating any one segmental nerve may be relatively weak, the over-all effect resulting from the widely spread projections of the Renshaw cells concerned is an inhibition comparable intensity with that seen in many hind limb motor nuclei.