Excitatory amino acid receptors in central cardiovascular regulation.

Excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters and their receptors are the principal mediators of fast synaptic transmission within the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence suggests that synaptic activation of excitatory amino acid receptors in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla, and in the spinal cord play a key role in neural transmission of cardiovascular information in the central nervous system. Pharmacological blockade of excitatory amino acid receptors at these sites eliminates a variety of centrally-mediated cardiovascular responses. These include baroreceptor reflexes and increases in arterial pressure produced by stimulation of various brain regions as well as peripheral afferent nerves. These observations indicate that synaptic activation of EAA receptors at specific sites within the brainstem and in the spinal cord play an important role in central cardiovascular regulation.