Differential regulation of the central neural cardiorespiratory system by metabotropic neurotransmitters.

Full Abstract

Central neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord are essential for the maintenance of sympathetic tone, the integration of responses to the activation of reflexes and central commands, and the generation of an appropriate respiratory motor output. Here, we will discuss work that aims to understand the role that metabotropic neurotransmitter systems play in central cardiorespiratory mechanisms. It is well known that blockade of glutamatergic, gamma-aminobutyric acidergic and glycinergic pathways causes major or even complete disruption of cardiorespiratory systems, whereas antagonism of other neurotransmitter systems barely affects circulation or ventilation. Despite the lack of an 'all-or-none' role for metabotropic neurotransmitters, they are nevertheless significant in modulating the effects of central command and peripheral adaptive reflexes. Finally, we propose that a likely explanation for the plethora of neurotransmitters and their receptors on cardiorespiratory neurons is to enable differential regulation of outputs in response to reflex inputs, while at the same time maintaining a tonic level of sympathetic activity that supports those organs that significantly autoregulate their blood supply, such as the heart, brain, retina and kidney. Such an explanation of the data now available enables the generation of many new testable hypotheses.

Author information

Author/s: Pilowsky, Paul M (PM); Lung, Mandy S Y (MS); Spirovski, Darko (D); McMullan, Simon (S);

Affiliation: Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Dow-Corning Building, Level 1, 3 Innovation Road, Macquarie University, 2109 NSW, Australia. paul.pilowsky(-atsign-)mq.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences (Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 364 (issue 1529) : pp 2537-52

Dates: Created 2009/08/04; Completed 2009/10/30;

PMID: 19651655, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/30/2009, IMS Date: )

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