Role for raphe magnus neuronal responses in the behavioral reactions to colorectal distension

The brain stem is necessary for the expression of behavioral reactions to noxious visceral inputs. Neurons in raphe magnus (RM) and the adjacent nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (NRMC) respond to visceral stimuli and can facilitate the behavioral reaction to visceral stimulation. To determine which RM and NRMC cells could play a role in generating the reaction to colorectal distension (CRD), the responses of RM and NRMC cells to multiple intensities of CRD were compared with simultaneously evoked cardiovascular and visceromotor reactions in halothane-anesthetized rats. Most neurons (89%) responded to CRD with one of three basic response patterns. For cells with a graded response pattern, the response magnitude increased with increasing stimulation intensity. For flat responding cells, the response magnitude was not different across suprathreshold stimulation intensities. Finally, neurons with a switch response pattern responded to low- and high-intensity CRD in opposing directions. Cells were either inhibited or excited by CRD in each of these categories. Responses of cells with both graded and switch response patterns were significantly correlated with CRD-evoked tachycardia, pressor reaction, and hunching. The activity of graded-responding cells have the greatest predictive value for CRD-evoked reactions. Flat-responding cells have nonlinear responses that may augment reactions to stimuli above the noxious threshold. Cells with switch type response patterns may contribute to differential reactions evoked by CRD stimuli within the noxious range. In sum, RM and NRMC neurons respond to CRD with a variety of patterns, each of which may contribute to the sculpting of CRD reactions in different ways.