[Effect of the limbic cortex and hypothalamus on the activity of the medullary respiratory neurons].

Effects of stimulation of anterior limbic cortex (areas 24 and 32) and postero-lateral hypothalamus on the spike discharges of bulbar respiratory neurons were studied in anesthetized cats with normal respiration. The effects could be similar or different. The responses of respiratory neurons to stimulation of the hypothalamus were more pronounced and had lower thresholds than those to stimulation of the anterior limbic cortex. The effects of both structures on the spike activity of inspiratory and expiratory neurons have a generalized character (facilitatory as well as inhibitory). Possible mechanisms of the respiration control by the limbic structures are discussed.