Separation of multiple functions in ventilatory control of pneumotaxic mechanisms.

Multiple functions have been ascribed to the pontile pneumotaxic center. We hypothesized that these functions might be separable among neurons in different regions. In decerebrate, vagotomized, paralyzed and ventilated cats, activities of the phrenic and triangularis sterni nerves were recorded. Microinjections of kainic acid were used to destroy neurons. Neurons in the rostrolateral tegmentum at the ponto-mesencephalic border controlled the duration of neural inspiration. Expiratory duration was controlled by neurons in the more caudal nucleus parabrachialis medialis and Kolliker-Fuse nucleus. Ventilatory responses to hypercapnia were depressed following injections of kainic acid into regions controlling either inspiratory or expiratory durations. The phases of expiration were regulated by two groups of neurons, located medial and lateral in the rostral pons. We conclude that rostral pontile and mesencephalic mechanisms control multiple aspects of the eupneic ventilatory cycle. There mechanisms are served by neurons in separable anatomical regions.