Abstract
Serotonergic neurons in the medulla are central respiratory chemoreceptors. Here we show that serotonergic neurons in the midbrain of rats are also highly chemosensitive to small changes in CO2/pH and are closely associated with large penetrating arteries. We propose that midbrain raphé neurons are sensors of blood CO2 that maintain pH homeostasis by inducing arousal, anxiety and changes in cerebrovascular tone in response to respiratory acidosis.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials / drug effects
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Animals
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Animals, Newborn
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Carbon Dioxide / blood
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Carbon Dioxide / pharmacology
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Cells, Cultured
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Chemoreceptor Cells / drug effects
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Chemoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Immunohistochemistry
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In Vitro Techniques
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Lysine / analogs & derivatives*
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Lysine / metabolism
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Patch-Clamp Techniques
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Raphe Nuclei / cytology*
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Raphe Nuclei / drug effects
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Raphe Nuclei / metabolism
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Rats
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Serotonin / metabolism*
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Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism
Substances
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Carbon Dioxide
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Serotonin
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Tryptophan Hydroxylase
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biocytin
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Lysine