Role of ATP in lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area (LH/PFA) in daily variations of ventilatory responses induced by central chemoreflex

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence suggests the existence of daily variations of the control of the central chemoreflex, and has been attributed to orexinergic neurons of the lateral hypothalamus and perifornicial area (LH / PFA ) as a mediator of circadian variations in central chemosensitive function, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood . Objective: This project aims to investigate the possible role of purinergic neurotransmission in the LH / PFA in the modulation of ventilatory response to hypercapnia in different stages of the sleep-wake cycle and light/dark period. Methods: We will study the effects on ventilation in air and in 7% CO2 of microinjection of ATP in the LH/PFA in Wistar rats during wakefulness and NREM sleep, under dark and light periods. (AU)