Involvement of reticular neurons of the cat medulla oblongata in the integrative activity of the respiratory center.

Reticular neurons of the respiratory center are divided into three groups. One group is located in the medial zone of the center and receives afferent spike activity from structures of the respiratory apparatus and chemoreceptors. Another is located in the inspiratory and expiratory areas of the respiratory center, and takes part in integrating signals and activating the effector mechanisms of the center. The third group is found in both zones of the center and organizes its effector activity. Electrical stimulation of medulla oblongata nuclei could transform reticular neurons of the lateral zone of the center into respiratory neurons. Evidence for this was obtained in the form of short-latency and long-latency evoked potentials in reticular neurons.