The rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study was designed to compare the cardiovascular influences of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) in young (5-6 weeks) spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. SH and WKY groups had similar pressor and depressor responses to microinjection of L-glutamate into the RVLM and the CVLM, respectively. In addition the results of this study indicate a reduced tonic sympathoinhibitory function of the CVLM in young SH rats, which may contribute to the development of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.