Respiratory Activity and the Hypothalamus

Abstract

Lesions in the lateral hypothalamus produced by high frequency currents result in an immediate decrease in rate and/or depth of respiration in lightly anesthetized cats. The effect increases with the size and number of such lesions; even unilateral lesions are effective. The blood pressure and heart rate are decreased slightly at the same time. If the respiration declines markedly, compensatory regulations due to asphyxia occur which raise the blood pressure and restore respiration. Bilateral injections of barbiturates into the lateral hypothalamus are followed by a reversible reduction in respiratory activity. It is concluded that impulses from the lateral hypothalamus exert a tonic facilatatory action on the respiratory center.