A simple method for generating a blood pressure-unit activity relationship for central cardiovascular neurons in the rat

One way to identify central cardiovascular neurons is to consider their barosensitivity, for example by plotting changes in their single unit activity as a function of evoked changes in blood pressure. To simplify the genesis of such pressure-activity relationships, a coronary angioplasty catheter was threaded into the aorta of anaesthetized rats and the balloon inflated to raise the blood pressure mechanically. Here, such a procedure is exemplified for cardiac vagal motoneurons; in the medulla oblongata in eight rats. This simplification bypasses potentially problematic surgery and minimizes deterioration of the animal.