Abstract
In conscious rabbits, microinjection of muscimol into the medullary raphé/parapyramidal region decreased fluctuation (coefficient variation) of resting ear blood flow (from 62 +/- 8 to 25 +/- 4%, P < 0.01, n = 8). The muscimol injection also prevented falls in ear blood flow that normally occur in response to alerting stimuli and to cold exposure. Thus, raphé/parapyramidal neurons constitute an important brainstem center for mediating cutaneous vasoconstriction initiated by alerting stimuli and by cold exposure.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arousal / drug effects
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Arousal / physiology
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Body Temperature Regulation / drug effects
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Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
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Cold Temperature
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Ear / blood supply
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GABA Agonists / administration & dosage*
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Male
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Microinjections
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Muscimol / administration & dosage*
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Pyramidal Cells / drug effects*
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Pyramidal Cells / physiology
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Rabbits
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Raphe Nuclei / drug effects*
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Raphe Nuclei / physiology
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Vasoconstriction / drug effects*
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Vasoconstriction / physiology