Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir6.2

Title: Effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockade on breathing pattern in newborn cat.

Authors: P Schweitzer, O Pierrefiche, A S Foutz, M Denavit-Saubie

Journal, date & volume: Brain Res. Dev. Brain Res., 1990 Nov 1 , 56, 290-3

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2148125

Abstract
We gave newborn kittens the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker MK-801 systemically while recording their breathing patterns by the barometric method. Unlike pentobarbital, MK-801 at an anaesthetic dose increased the relative length of inspiration within the respiratory cycle. The section of both vagus nerves under MK-801 produced apneustic breathing, whereas vagotomy under pentobarbital had no such effect. We conclude that the central inspiratory-termination mechanism mediated through NMDA receptors and the vagally-mediated mechanism that independently 'switches off' inspiration are both functional at birth.