Prenatal diazepam exposure alters respiratory control system and GABAA and adenosine receptor gene expression in newborn rats.

In experimental animals, prenatal diazepam exposure has clearly been associated with behavioral disturbances. Its impact on newborn breathing has not been documented despite potential deleterious consequences for later brain development. We addressed this issue in neonatal rats (0-2 d) born from dams, which consumed 2 mg/kg/d diazepam via drinking fluid throughout gestation.

Consequences of prenatal exposure to diazepam on the respiratory parameters, respiratory network activity and gene expression of alpha1 and alpha2 subunits of GABA(A) receptor in newborn rat.

Diazepam (DZP) enhances GABA action at GABA(A) receptor. Chronic prenatal administration of DZP delays the appearance of neonatal reflexes. We examined whether maternal intake of DZP might affect respiratory control system in newborn rats (0-3 day-old).

Autonomic response and Fos expression in the NTS following intermittent vagal stimulation: importance of pulse frequency.

Chronic intermittent stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) is an approved adjunctive therapy of refractory epilepsy. Nevertheless, the circuits triggered by VNS under the variable conditions used in patients are not well understood. We analyzed the effect of increasing pulse frequency on physiological variables (intragastric pressure, cardiac and respiratory frequencies) and neuronal activation in the solitary tract nucleus (NTS), the entry level of peripheral vagal afferents, in the rat.

Postnatal changes in the respiratory response of the conscious rat to serotonin 2A/2C receptor activation are reflected in the developmental pattern of fos expression in the brainstem.

The influence on the breathing pattern of the activation of serotonin receptors belonging to the subtypes 2(A) and 2(C) (5-HT(2A/2C)) has been assessed in newborn and adult conscious rats. Rats were given an acute intraperitoneal dose of the agonist DOI (1-(2.5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane; 5 mg/kg).