The bulbar respiratory centre in the rabbit. I. Changes of respiratory parameters caused by intermittent electrical bulbar stimulation during inspiration or expiration.

In anesthetized rabbits, spirogram and diaphragmatic activity were examined during electrical stimulation of the bulbar lateral reticular formation. The activity of bulbar respiratory neurons was recorded contra-or ipsilaterally to the stimulation site. One volley of repetitive stimuli per breath was delivered during either inspiration or expiration. 1. Each volley of about 120 ms duration at 100 pulses per second, delivered early ininspiration, caused an immediate and transient inhibition of the diaphragmatic activity. An inspiratory, rebound comprising lengthening of inspiration and increase in tidal volume occurred. a) “Inspiratory” and “expiratory-inspiratory” phase-spanning neurons exh…