Medullary serotonin neurons and central CO2 chemoreception. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2009 Aug 31;168(1-2):49-58
Date
04/28/2009Pubmed ID
19394450Pubmed Central ID
PMC2787387DOI
10.1016/j.resp.2009.04.014Scopus ID
2-s2.0-68949181739 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 121 CitationsAbstract
Serotonergic (5-HT) neurons are putative central respiratory chemoreceptors, aiding in the brain's ability to detect arterial changes in PCO2 and implement appropriate ventilatory responses to maintain blood homeostasis. These neurons are in close proximity to large medullary arteries and are intrinsically chemosensitive in vitro, characteristics expected for chemoreceptors. 5-HT neurons of the medullary raphé are stimulated by hypercapnia in vivo, and their disruption results in a blunted hypercapnic ventilatory response. More recently, data collected from transgenic and knockout mice have provided further insight into the role of 5-HT in chemosensitivity. This review summarizes current evidence in support of the hypothesis that 5-HT neurons are central chemoreceptors, and addresses arguments made against this role. We also briefly explore the relationship between the medullary raphé and another chemoreceptive site, the retrotrapezoid nucleus, and discuss how they may interact during hypercapnia to produce a robust ventilatory response.
Author List
Corcoran AE, Hodges MR, Wu Y, Wang W, Wylie CJ, Deneris ES, Richerson GBAuthor
Matthew R. Hodges PhD Professor in the Physiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Carbon DioxideChemoreceptor Cells
Raphe Nuclei
Serotonin
