Neurochemical transmission of baroreceptor input in the nucleus tractus solitarius

Baroreceptor activation has been found to produce different types of discharge patterns in neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The contribution of different glutamate receptor subtypes, neuropeptide modulators and input from different baroreceptor subtypes to the generation of firing patterns in NTS barosensitive neurons was examined in a series of studies. Results from these studies indicate that both subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptors contribute to discharge in barosensitive neurons, and the role of each subtype can vary for different neurons. The neuropeptide neurotensin was found to modulate baroreceptor control of BP and discharge of central barosensitive neurons, both through modulation of baroreceptor afferent input and possibly through release of neurotensin by baroreceptor afferent fibers in the NTS. Finally, selective modulation of input from baroreceptor subtypes indicates that there is some degree of divergent baroreceptor innervation of NTS neurons that could contribute to initiation of their different discharge patterns in response to baroreceptor input. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.