Effects of hypocapnia on spontaneous burst activity in the piriform-Amygdala complex of newborn rat brain preparations in vitro

Abstract

We examined effects of hypocapnia on burst activity in the piriform-amygdala complex and C4 inspiratory activity in limbic-brainstem-spinal cord preparations from 0- to 1- day-old rats. Hypocapnia (2% CO2) increased the burst rate in the piriform-amygdala complex but decreased the C4 inspiratory burst rate. Since hyperventilation induces hypocapnia, and enhanced amygdala activity may be involved in induction of a sense of anxiety, our findings might explain the neuronal mechanism of a vicious circle between hyperventilation and an increased sense of anxiety. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.