Micturition and defensive behaviors are controlled by distinct neural networks within the dorsal periaqueductal gray and deep gray layer of the superior colliculus of the rat
Lc. Vargas et al., Micturition and defensive behaviors are controlled by distinct neural networks within the dorsal periaqueductal gray and deep gray layer of the superior colliculus of the rat, NEUROSCI L, 280(1), 2000, pp. 45-48
Electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) or the deep
gray layer of the superior colliculus (DGSC) of rats placed in an open-fie
ld elicited either a display of tense immobility, accompanied by exophthalm
us and/or defecation and micturition, or running and jumping responses. Thr
eshold curves of each response were obtained for each structure by the logi
stic fitting of accumulated response frequencies. DPAG and DGSC threshold c
urves were compared by likelihood-ratio coincidence tests. The output of mi
cturition was significantly higher following the stimulation of DPAG (P < 0
.0005). In contrast, no differences were found for the remaining responses.
These data support previous studies in anaesthetized cats suggesting the c
ritical involvement of DPAG in the control of micturition. Furthermore,they
also suggest that topographically distinct neural networks within the DPAG
and DGSC control micturition and the other defensive behaviors. (C) 2000 E
lsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.