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The association between body mass index (BMI) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been inconsistent in the Asian population. Also, no evidence regarding this issue in the young population exists. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between BMI and IBS based on the Rome III criteria in young Japanese people.This study was a cross-sectional study consisted of 8923 Japanese university students. The definition of IBS was based on the Rome III criteria. BMI was divided into four categories (quartiles) on the basis of the study subjects' distribution (lowest, low, moderate, and high [reference]). The definition of lean, normal, and overweight was BMI 18.5 kg/mThe prevalence of IBS was 6.5%, with females having a significantly higher prevalence than males (6.0% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.029). In females, being overweight was independently positively associated with IBS after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-2.79]). In contrast, in males, no association between being lean or overweight and IBS was found.Among the young Japanese population, being overweight might be independently positively associated with prevalence of IBS in females but not in males.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) has a high prevalence worldwide and reduces patients’ quality of life. The etiology of FD is likely multifactorial. Although two studies showed an inverse association between exercise habits and FD, evidence regarding the association between exercise habits and FD remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between exercise habits and FD among the young Japanese population, taking the presence or absence of an exercise partner as an additional variable. The study subjects consisted of 8923 Japanese university students. The definition of FD was based on the Rome III criteria. Information on exercise frequency, exercise intensity, and exercise partners was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of FD was 1.9% in this cohort. Low, moderate, and high frequency of exercise was independently inversely associated with FD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] was low: OR 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47–0.997], moderate: OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.34–0.81] and high: OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.30–0.88], p for trend p = 0.002). Moderate and high intensity of exercise was independently inversely associated with FD (moderate: OR 0.56 [95% CI 0.36–0.84] and high: OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.30–0.76], p for trend p = 0.001). Exercise with groups and with friends was independently inversely associated with FD whereas the association between exercising alone and FD was not significant (groups: OR 0.28 [95% CI 0.14–0.50] and friends: OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.24–0.74]). Among the young Japanese population, frequency and intensity of exercise may be independently inversely associated with FD. Additionally, exercise with groups and with friends but not by oneself was inversely associated with exercise and FD, respectively.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a very common disease worldwide. Dysmenorrhea impairs quality of life among females of reproductive age. Although dysmenorrhea is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), no study has yet evaluated the association between dysmenorrhea and FD.This study's subjects consisted of 4693 female Japanese university students. We defined FD according to the Rome III criteria. Subjects completed a self-reported questionnaire regarding menstrual irregularity, menstrual pain, and medication for menstrual pain. Age, body mass index, drinking, smoking, exercise habit, anemia, and first-year student status were selected as potential confounding factors.The prevalence of FD, epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) was 2.5%, 0.6%, and 2.1%, respectively. Heavy menstrual pain was independently positively associated with FD and PDS but not EPS (adjusted ORs: FD, 3.18 [95% CI: 1.60-6.89] and PDS, 2.93 [95% CI: 1.56-7.93] for heavy menstrual pain, p for trend = 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Using medication for menstrual pain often was independently positively associated with FD, EPS, and PDS, respectively, (adjusted ORs: FD, 2.41 [95% CI: 1.50-3.83], EPS, 2.93 [95% CI: 1.04-7.93], PDS, 2.44 [95% CI: 1.46-4.01]). Irregular menstrual cycle was not associated with FD or with subtype of FD.Among the young female Japanese population, menstrual pain might be independently positively associated with FD and PDS but not EPS. The use of medication for menstrual pain might be independently positively associated with FD including subtype of FD.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) may be a common digestive disease worldwide and reduces the quality of life of patients. However, only a few studies have investigated the association between eating behavior and FD. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the association between eating behavior and prevalence of FD in a young Japanese cohort.In this study, we enrolled 8923 Japanese university students. FD is diagnosed based on the Rome III criteria. Eating habits and frequency of meals were investigated using a self-administered questionnaire.The FD subjects had a younger mean age, a lower body mass index, and a lower proportion of men compared to the non-FD subjects. An independent positive association between skipping breakfast and/or lunch and FD was found (adjusted ORs were 1.60 [95% CI, 1.10-2.32] for breakfast and 2.52 [95% CI, 1.04-5.18] for lunch). Skipping dinner, extra meals (snacks) or midnight snacks was not associated with FD. The prevalence of FD in subjects eating 1, 2, and 3 meals per day was 4.8%, 2.2%, and 1.7%, respectively. The frequency of meals was independently inversely associated with prevalence of FD (adjusted ORs were 1 per day: 2.72 [95% CI, 1.19-5.42], and 2 per day: 1.69 [95% CI, 1.16-2.43],In the young Japanese people, the frequency of meals may be independently inversely associated with prevalence of FD. In particular, skipping breakfast and/or lunch was associated with the prevalence of FD.

Evidence regarding the association between sleep disturbance and functional dyspepsia (FD) remains limited in the young population. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep disturbance and FD including subgroups among Japanese young people. Study subjects were 8923 university students. FD was defined according to the Rome III criteria. Subjects with FD were further categorized as having postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) or epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). Subjects completed a self-reported questionnaire assessing self-reported sleep duration, sleep disturbance, difficulty falling asleep, deep sleep disorder, nocturnal awakening, early awakening, and daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of FD was 1.9%. After adjustment, all types of sleep disturbances were independently positively associated with FD (total sleep disturbance: OR 4.11 [95% CI: 2.89–5.78], difficulty falling asleep: OR 3.97 [95% CI: 2.53–6.01], deep sleep disorder: OR 4.85 [95% CI: 3.06–7.40], nocturnal awakening: OR 4.35 [95% CI: 1.90–8.67], early awakening: OR 4.50 [95% CI: 1.97–8.97], and daytime sleepiness: OR 2.83 [95% CI: 1.25–5.56]). While nocturnal awakening and daytime sleepiness were not associated with EPS, the other types of sleep disturbance were independently positively associated with EPS and PDS. No association between self-reported sleep duration and FD was found. Sleep disturbance may be independently positively associated with the prevalence of FD among Japanese young people. Nocturnal awakening and daytime sleepiness were not associated with EPS; the other types of sleep disturbance were independently positively associated with EPS and PDS.

Evidence regarding the association between body mass index (BMI) and functional dyspepsia (FD) in the Asian population is limited. Further, no study has evaluated this issue in young people in Asian and Western populations. Thus, we aim to investigate this issue among young Japanese people.The study subjects comprised of 8923 Japanese university students. BMI was divided into 4 categories (quartiles) on the basis of the study subjects' distribution (lowest, low, moderate, and high [reference]). The definition of lean, normal, overweight, and obese was BMI18.5 kg/mThe prevalence of FD was 1.9% in this cohort. The lowest BMI was independently associated with FD after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-3.67); P for trend = 0.001). The lowest BMI was independently associated with FD in women but not in men (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.59-5.77; P for trend = 0.001). Leanness was independently associated with FD in total and in women but not in men (total: adjusted OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.40-2.86) and women (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.35-3.45). However, interaction analysis showed no significant difference for sex.Among young Japanese people, BMI may be independently inversely associated with FD. Leanness may be an independent associated factor for FD in the young Japanese women.

Anatomy, physiology or pharmacology is the important subject in nursing education. Nursing education is established in a law since 1951. Although the law is revised many times according to social situation, the subjects like physiology have been positioned as a basic specialized subject in the law now. Physiology is educated at 1st grade in most nursing school. However, there are some problems in educating physiology. First, academic ability in nursing students tend to decline recently. For example, there are some students who cannot solve simple arithmetic. They cannot calculate how much volume (mL) they have to aspirate injection solution to the syringe, when a doctor orders an injection medicine. Thus, there are increasing number of students who are not good at calculation. Second, they do not learn the technical term exactly. There are many names of pharmaceutical drug they must learn in pharmacology, some of which have similar names of pharmaceutical drug. If students do not learn them exactly, there is the possibility of causing a medical accident. Third, students learn something or an events from restricted one side. Therefore, they cannot answer the question they are asked from a different point of view. Furthermore, student cannot relate the knowledge they have learned with other knowledge. It seems that it must be important to have students understand how to utilize the knowledge in physiology or pharmacology in nursing practice at an early stage.

This study was designed to clarify whether the fragrance of peppermint oil has the effect of enhancing the concentration by using Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). PVT was applied to the participants (n = 16, female) for 10 min in the room with peppermint oil and without the odor (control). The fragrance of peppermint was allowed to fill the room 10 min before the start of the measurement. The participants were asked to press a response button, located on the right side of the device, as soon as the visual stimuli appeared at random from 2 to 10 s in PVT. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was also used for subjective sensation (0, no concentrate at all; 100, concentrate very much). Reaction time (RT) to visual stimulation was measured for evaluation of concentration using PVT. Median of RT was significantly smaller in peppermint oil than that of control. Subjective sensation by VAS also showed significantly high concentration in peppermint oil compared with control. These results indicate that the concentration must increase by smelling the fragrance of peppermint oil. When people get tired during work, it suggests that concentration might improve by smelling the fragrance of peppermint followed by the prevention of human errors.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of the application of cold or heat on the sensation of pricking pain based on autonomic responses. Electrical stimulation was applied to the antebrachium or brachium of subjects as an artificial pricking pain, and skin blood flow (BF) and skin conductance level (SCL) at the fingertip were measured. Pain sensation was evaluated using the visual analog scale. Pain stimulation produced a significant increase in SCL and a significant decrease in BF at both the antebrachium and brachium. Application of cold to the stimulation site using an ice-water pack reduced BF and SCL responses and pain sensation. Application of heat using a hot water bottle caused a significant increase in pain sensation and enhancement of BF and SCL responses. These results suggest that application of cold promotes relief of pricking pain sensation and suppression of autonomic responses, and that application of heat has no such effect. It is important that nurses ascertain the type of pain or source of pain and take proper measures for its relief.

To clarify whether or not inhaling fragnance of lavender, rosemary or citronella affects physiological conditions, responses of the autonomic nervous system were evaluated by measuring R-wave intervals on an electrocardiogram, blood pressure, blood flow in the fingertip and galvanic skin conductance. Heart rate variability was also examined using spectral analysis. Lavender was the most effective fragnance in terms of eliciting calmness and relaxation. When inhaled for 10 minutes, lavender produced an increase in blood flow and decrease in galvanic skin conductance and systolic blood pressure, indicating a reduction in sympathetic nerve activity followed by decreased blood pressure. Rosemary, which is perceived as having a refreshing effect, decreased blood flow and increased systolic blood pressure immediately after inhalation, resulting from stimulating sympathetic nerve activity. Citronella produced an increase in R-R interval on the electrocardiogram and decreased blood flow and galvanic skin conductance. The high frequency component of spectral analysis, which reflects only parasympathetic nervous activity, was significantly increased following inhalation of lavender or citronella. The ratio of the low frequency/high frequency components, which reflects an autonomic balance, was increased significantly by rosemary or citronella inhalation, indicating that sympathetic nervous activity had become predominant. These results suggested that fragnances that cause feelings of calmness or relaxation, such as lavender, produce a relaxed condition in the autonomic nervous system by increasing parasympathetic whilst depressing sympathetic nervous activity in addition to mental or psychological effects. In contrast, refreshing fragnances, such as rosemary, stimulate sympathetic nervous activity. Citronella seems to activate both para-sympathetic and sympathetic nervous activity. Appreciation of citronella varies widely among individuals, which might be associated with its complex effects on the autonomic nervous system.

This study was designed to determine whether autonomic regulation induced by posture changes varies during the menstrual cycle. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed in women with normal menstrual cycles (n = 10, age range 20-37 years) during 3 min periods of controlled frequency breathing (15 breaths/min) in supine followed by sitting positions. In a supine or sitting position, high frequency (HF) components of HRV, which reflects only parasympathetic activity, were significantly high in the follicular phase compared with those in the menstrual phase, suggesting that parasympathetic nerve activity increases in this phase. Following the change of position to sitting from supine, the HF component decreased significantly in the menstrual, ovulatory and luteal phases, but not the follicular or premenstrual phase. After changing the position to sitting, the low to high frequency component ratio, which reflects the balance of autonomic nerve activities, was increased significantly in the menstrual, luteal and premenstrual phases, indicating that sympathetic nerve activities in these phases became predominant by the sitting position. These results suggest that parasympathetic nerve activity is predominant in the follicular phase, resulting in an impairment of baroreflex caused by posture changes. Moreover, baroreflex control of the sympathetic component, not the parasympathetic component, increases in the premenstrual phase, while the reflex response of the sympathetic component is less in the ovulatory phase compared with the menstrual or luteal phase. We concluded that baroreflex regulation of autonomic functions induced by changing positions is modified during the menstrual cycle. A difference of a balance of ovarian hormones may be responsible for these changes of autonomic functions during the menstrual cycle.

This experience-based educational program is designed to train health professionals to provide a high level of interprofessional care. The program emphasizes practical learning and students’ experience in more than 10 health care professions in clinical settings. Introduced in 2004, the program has been administered jointly by three schools (Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Sciences) of the University of Tsukuba. The program features simulated care conferences and discussions in small groups consisting of students from the three schools. The program also provides opportunities for students to learn the viewpoints of patients and a variety of health professionals as well as the cooperative skills and partnerships required for interprofessional work. The program encourages students to understand the importance of cooperation among health professionals, to understand their expertise, and to learn how to develop the relationships necessary for providing interprofessional care.

In urethane-anesthetized rabbits, we successfully recorded unit activity of four neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) that were excited by orthodromic stimulation of the aortic nerve and by antidromic stimulation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). The sum of mean onset latency of excitation to stimulation of the aortic nerve (37.5 ms) and mean conduction time of antidromic spikes (10.5 ms) was close to the mean onset latency of inhibition of reticulospinal neurons in the RVLM to stimulation of the aortic nerve (47.1 ms) as previously reported by us. Three of 4 neurons received excitatory input from carotid sinus baroreceptors as well. Our results provide strong evidence for the hypothesis that neurons in the CVLM subserve the arterial baroreceptor-sympathetic vasomotor reflex.

The effects of electrical stimulation of cervical sympathetic trunks for 1-min duration at supramaximal intensity with various stimulus frequencies on local cortical cerebral blood flow were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation with low frequency (1-2 Hz) produced a significant increase in local cortical cerebral blood flow during the stimulation. The local cortical CBF reached 111% of the resting value during the stimulation at 10 Hz, and slightly decreased for about 30s after the end of stimulation. High-frequency stimulation (20-30 Hz) produced the short-term increase during the stimulation, which was followed by the dominant and long-lasting decrease, and the local cortical CBF reached 87% (at 30 Hz) of the resting value after the end of stimulation. The response of increase in flow was abolished by intravenous administration of beta adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol, 1.3 mg/kg i.v.), while the response of decrease in flow was abolished by alpha adrenergic blocking agent (phenoxybenzamine, 0.5 mg/kg i.v.).

Summary The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of footbathing on autonomic nerve and immune function. Eleven healthy female volunteers (aged 22–24 years) undertook footbaths at 42 °C for 10 min, with or without additional mechanical stimulation (air bubbles and vibration). Autonomic responses were evaluated by electrocardiography and spectral analysis of heart rate variability, and by measurement of blood flow in the sural region. White blood cell (WBC) counts, ratios of lymphocyte subsets, and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity were used as indicators of immune function. Footbathing with mechanical stimulation produced (1) significant changes in the measured autonomic responses, indicating a shift to increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity and (2) significant increases in WBC count and NK cell cytotoxicity, suggesting an improved immune status. Because these physiological changes are likely to be of benefit to health, our findings support the use of footbathing in nursing practice.

This study was designed to determine if there is a difference in autonomic regulation induced by posture change between postmenopausal and young women. To evaluate autonomic nervous system function, spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was done in postmenopausal women (n = 13, 46-59 years of age), age-matched men (n = 8, 45-55 years of age), and young women (n = 10, 20-37 years of age) for 3-min periods of controlled frequency breathing (15 breaths/min) in supine followed by sitting positions. In the supine position, the R-R interval variation in older persons decreased significantly compared with that during the follicular phase in young women. Furthermore, the high-frequency (HF) components of HRV, which reflect only parasympathetic activity, were lower in older subjects than in young women. Following a change of position from supine to sitting, the HF component did not change significantly in the postmenopausal women or the men, but the low/high frequency (LF/HF) component ratio, which reflects the balance of autonomic nerve activities, increased significantly in the men. These results suggest that cardiac parasympathetic tone may be reduced in older persons in comparison with young women. Furthermore, arterial baroreflex control of parasympathetic nerve activity caused by posture changes is impaired in the postmenopausal women and aged-matched men. The baroreflex control of the sympathetic component is maintained in the men but not in the postmenopausal women. These differences might result in part from changes in the level of female hormones.

In 55 anesthetized and paralyzed adult rabbits, 161 spontaneously active neurons which responded to electrical stimulation of A-fibers of the aortic nerve were found within the ventrolateral medulla (VLM). They were termed barosensory VLM neurons, since the aortic nerve A-fibers were considered to consist exclusively of afferents from arterial baroreceptors. Forty percent of barosensory VLM neurons tested (49/123) were activated antidromically by stimulation of the dorsolateral funiculus indicating that they send descending bulbospinal projections. Spontaneous discharges of barosensory VLM neurons were invariably inhibited by stimulation of aortic nerve A-fibers. Ninety-three percent of 80 neurons tested also responded to stimulation of aortic nerve C-fibers, a mixture of barosensory and nonbarosensory afferents. Natural stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors by an intravenous injection of phenylephrine in 19 vagotomized rabbits with aortic nerves disrupted inhibited spontaneous activity of all the 50 barosensory VLM neurons tested. By contrast, pharmacological stimulation of right or left carotid body chemoreceptors by close arterial injection of NaCN into the carotid sinus augmented activity of 93% of barosensory VLM neurons tested (41/44). The neuronal response was always greater to stimulation of chemoreceptors in the contralateral carotid sinus. Seven out of 8 barosensory VLM neurons tested (88%) were orthodromically excited by stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic area. In 74% of the 97 neurons examined in 29 vagotomized animals, a distinct respiratory-related rhythm, locked to that of phrenic nerve activity, was discerned. Thus, spontaneous activity of barosensory VLM neurons is inhibited by afferent inputs from aortic and carotid sinus baroreceptors, but is excited by incoming signals from carotid body chemoreceptors and the posterior hypothalamic area. It is also subject to the influence of the central mechanism generating the respiratory rhythm.

In urethane-anesthetized and vagotomized rabbits, electrical stimulation of the afferent renal nerve (RN) elicited reflex changes in renal nerve activity (RNA) and arterial pressure (AP). The responses were attributable mostly to excitation of nonmyelinated afferent fibers, although, in about 30% of the animals, they were contributed slightly by myelinated afferents. In about 70% of rabbits, the peristimulus time histogram (PTH) of RNA following stimulation of the RN consisted of a long-lasting inhibitory (I) component occasionally accompanied, during its recovery phase, by a transient excitatory (E) component. In these animals, tetanic stimulation of the RN resulted in a depressor response, either alone or, if an E component was present in the PTH, followed by a slight pressor response. In the remaining rabbits, the PTH was composed exclusively of an E component and tetanic stimulation caused a pressor response. Stimulation of the RN evoked reflex changes in cardiac sympathetic discharges comparable to that of RNA, whereas the change in cervical sympathetic discharges was much smaller. The sympathetic response remained intact after a total transection of the rostral medulla near the ponto-medullary junction; the I component was even augmented. However, it usually disappeared following a transection at the high cervical cord. Bilateral lesions of the nucl. tractus solitarius (NTS) near the obex failed to appreciably affect the response. Among chemical and mechanical stimuli examined, nociceptive stimulation of the kidney elicited a sympathetic response comparable to that following nerve stimulation. In conclusion, the renal-sympathetic reflex in rabbits (1) originates predominantly from nonmyelinated afferent renal fibers activated effectively by nociceptive stimulation applied to the kidney; (2) depends critically on medullary structures other than the NTS; and (3) evokes changes of the same temporal pattern but of nonuniform magnitude in sympathetic discharges to different organs.

In an effort to locate medullary structures that mediate the renal-sympathetic reflex, the effect, on the excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) components of that reflex, of certain drugs applied to the ventral surface of the medulla was investigated in urethane-anesthetized and vagotomized rabbits. Application of bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonist, selectively abolished the I component of the renal-sympathetic reflex as well as the sympathoinhibition elicited by stimulation of the aortic nerve. The E component, on the other hand, was specifically eliminated by kynurenic acid, a glutamate receptor antagonist. Strychnine or atropine sulfate did not affect either reflex appreciably. Subsequently, within the region of the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) subjacent to the site of drug applications, we searched for neurons which responded to stimulation of the renal nerve and/or the aortic nerve. Of 68 responsive VLM neurons found, 50 (73.5%) responded to stimulation of both nerves. Of the 50 neurons, 40 were tested for their antidromic activation to stimulation of the spinal cord. Twenty-four neurons (60%) were antidromically activated. Responses of these reticulospinal neurons to stimulation of the renal nerve preceded that of renal nerve activity (RNA) by about 100 ms. All the antidromically activated, VLM neurons which responded to stimulation of the renal nerve also responded to stimulation of the aortic nerve. In conclusion, the renal-sympathetic reflex appears to be mediated by the same pool of bulbospinal neurons in the ventrolateral medulla that mediates the arterial baroreceptor reflex, and the E and I components of that reflex can be selectively abolished by pharmacological intervention of the subjacent ventral surface of the medulla.

In urethane-anesthetized rabbits, 209 spontaneously active neurons that responded to stimulation of aortic nerve A fibers were found within the ventrolateral medulla (VLM). The neurons, termed barosensory VLM neurons, were inhibited, except for three instances, by stimulation of A fibers. Forty-seven percent of barosensory VLM neurons tested (74 of 159) were activated antidromically by electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral funiculus at the C2 level. Activity of barosensory VLM neurons was enhanced by stimulation of carotid body chemoreceptors or the posterior hypothalamic area, whereas it was diminished by increases in arterial pressure elicited by injection of phenylephrine. Barosensory VLM neurons responded variously to stimulation, with two to three pulses at 40 or 100 Hz, of spinal afferents of cutaneous and muscle origins and the spinal trigeminal complex. Although stimulation of one group of somatosensory fibers could evoke different patterns of neuronal responses consisting of excitatory and inhibitory components, the following responses were most often encountered. Group II cutaneous afferents caused an inhibition. Recruitment of group III afferents brought about a brief excitatory component preceding it. Activation of group IV cutaneous fibers added a long latency excitatory component. Excitation of groups III and IV muscle afferents most often resulted in an inhibition, whereas stimulation of the spinal trigeminal complex elicited various combinations of excitatory and inhibitory components. These results are consistent with the view that neurons in the ventrolateral medulla receive barosensory and nonbarosensory inputs from various peripheral and central sources and participate in the control of sympathetic vasomotor activity and arterial pressure.

In urethane-anesthetized and vagotomized rabbits, activation of C-fibers of renal afferents resulted in a reflex change in multifiber renal nerve activity (RNA) which consisted of inhibitory (I) and excitatory (E) components, either alone or in combination. The I and E components were individually and reversibly blocked by bilateral application of bicuculline and kynurenic acid, respectively, to the ventral surface of medulla. Bicuculline further eliminated the sympathoinhibiton produced by stimulation of the aortic nerve. Within the subjacent rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), we recorded 23 spontaneously active single units that responded to electrical stimulation of renal afferents and were antidromically activated by stimulation of the dorsolateral funiculus at the C2 level. Usually, the neuronal response preceded that of the RNA by about 100 ms. These bulbospinal RVLM neurons were barosensory, since they responded to stimulation of the aortic nerve. We conclude that barosensory neurons in the RVLM mediate the renal-sympathetic reflex in rabbits.