Effects of arginine-vasopressin on neuronal interaction from the area postrema to the nucleus tractus solitarii in rat brain slices

Abstract

The effects of vasopressin (AVP) on area postrema (AP) neurons and the neuronal connection between the AP and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) were investigated electrophysiologically in slices perparation of the medulla oblongata of rats. In the AP, 27.9% of 129 neurons were excited by AVP and 20.5% were inhibited. The excitation was blocked by a V1 receptor antagonist. Synaptic transmission of the AP to the NTS was mainly mediated by non-NMDA receptors. Local application of AVP to the AP activitied the NTS neurons. This activation was blocked by an NMDA antagonist. These results suggest that the excitation originating in the AP is conveyed to the NTS via non-NMDA receptors and modified by NMDA receptor activation secondly. These processes may be improtant in regulation of the arterial baroreceptor reflex.