RESPONSE OF MEDULLARY RESPIRATORY NEURONES TO STIMULATION OF THE VAGUS

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Abstract
Effects of afferent vagal stimulation were observed on medullary respiratory discharges of urethanized rabbits. In a weak inspiratory response caused by low-frequency stimulation, inspiratory bursts gave way to a continuous firing, the frequency of which, however, remained unchanged compared with that of control inspiratory discharges. The discharge intervals of expiratory neurons were prolonged. In a strong expiratory response caused by high-frequency stimulation, inspiratory discharges were abolished completely. Changes of expiratory discharges were identical with those of inspiratory discharge in inspiratory response mentioned above. In a respiratory acceleration, both inspiratory and expiratory discharges were inhibited; numbers of firing per bursts were decreased remarkably and their discharge intervals were prolonged. Based on these results, the conclusion was drawn that the inspiratory and expiratory responses to low- and high-frequency vagas stimulation were brought about by inhibition of expiratory and inspiratory neurons respectively.

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