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Anaesthetics differentially modulate the trigeminocardiac reflex excitatory synaptic pathway in the brainstem
Author(s) -
Wang Xin,
Gorini Christopher,
Sharp Douglas,
Bateman Ryan,
Mendelowitz David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.215392
Subject(s) - excitatory postsynaptic potential , brainstem , neuroscience , reflex , psychology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential
Non‐Technical Summary Activation of the trigeminal nerve during eye and head surgery often evokes a dramatic decrease in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate, referred to as the trigeminocardiac reflex. Different anaesthetics can depress or amplify this reflex with serious clinical consequences. In this study we focused on two populations of neurones, the neurones that receive sensory information and the neurones that control heart rate. We show that these two groups of neurones in the brain are activated in the reflex circuitry and how different anaesthetics differentially modulate the neurotransmission to these neurones. These results help us understand the mechanisms and anaesthetic modulation of the trigeminocardiac reflex and can help reduce its rate of occurrence and increase patients’ safety during surgery.