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R. Alberto Travagli
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Title Professor
Institution College of Medicine
Department Neural and Behavioral Sciences
Division Neural & Behavioral Science
Address 500 University Drive Hershey PA 17033
 Mailbox: H109
Telephone 7175315144
Email
Background
PREFERRED TITLE/ROLE:

Professor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences

SECONDARY APPOINTMENT(S)/ INSTITUTE(S)/ CENTER(S):

The Huck Institute of the Life Sciences

GRADUATE PROGRAM AFFILIATIONS:

Anatomy, Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience

EDUCATION:

Laurea (Ph.D.) in Biological Sciences (Physiology); University of Ferrara (Italy); 1979-1985
Ph.D. in Pharmacology; Georgetown University (D.C.); 1989-1993

TRAINING:

Department of Human Physiology; University of Ferrara- School of Medicine; 1985-86
Neurocardiovascular Department; FIDIA Pharmaceuticals; 1986-1989
Vollum Institute; Oregon Health Sciences University; 1993-1995


NARRATIVE:

For several years my laboratory has been interested in the organization of vagal brainstem circuits devoted to the control of homeostatic pathways, particularly those involved in the control of gastrointestinal and feeding functions.
From our initial studies, we hypothesized that parasympathetic brainstem motoneurons that are devoted to distinct visceral functions can be identified by a unique combination of biophysical and pharmacological properties. More recently, our studies have led to the understanding the brainstem autonomic system is segregated into functional circuits that display unique properties at several specific levels, from a neurons membrane properties, to its local network connections, its distant network associations as well as to its effector response. This type of cellular organization implies a “task matching” capability where subsets of parasympathetic and sympathetic brainstem neurons integrate vital cardiac, respiratory and gastrointestinal functions.
We now intend to investigate the differences in the organization of these circuits with the aim of uncovering the differences that exist between the neural control of feeding/gastrointestinal functions and the control of cardiovascular and respiratory functions and the role these differences play in allowing these neural circuits to adapt to environmental conditions.
Based on the experimental data we have generated in the last few years, we hypothesize that brainstem homeostatic circuits are not the simple, static relay networks that they have long been described as but, rather, are adapting to every-changing environmental conditions. These circuits undergo short-term adaptive plasticity to ensure that vagally regulated functions respond appropriately to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors (e.g., food, stress, peripheral sensory inputs, time of day, etc.). This short term plasticity is directed toward selective and distinct neuronal subpopulation, each of which is devoted to the modulation and regulation of integrative inputs originating from higher centers (e.g., the hypothalamus, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the Barrington’s nucleus, etc.). Similarly, peripheral injury due to dietary deficiency, inflammation or neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., diabetes, pancreatitis, esophagitis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) induce longer-term alterations in the pharmacological and synaptic organization of these homeostatic circuits.

To address these experimental queries, we are using a combination of in vitro electrophysiological techniques (whole cell patch clamp in thin slices and in primary neuronal cultures of rat brainstem), in vivo techniques (microinjections and extracellular recordings), molecular (single cell RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical techniques to study the characteristics of neurones of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) and the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), i.e. the motor and sensory vagal nuclei, respectively.

Collaborators: Kirsteen Browning, PhD (Neural & Behavioral Sciences), Sean Stocker, PhD (Physiology), Greg Holmes, PhD (Neural and Behavioral Sciences); Kim Kopenhaver-Doheny, Ph.D. (Newborn Medicine); Charles Palmer M.D. (Neonatology); Rob Bonneau, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Immunology)
Publications
1. Browning KN, Babic T, Holmes GM, Swartz E, Travagli RA. A critical re-evaluation of the specificity of action of perivagal capsaicin. J Physiol. 2013 Mar 15; 591(Pt 6):1563-80.
  View in: PubMed
 
2. Babic T, Bhagat R, Wan S, Browning KN, Snyder M, Fortna SR, Travagli RA. Role of the vagus in the reduced pancreatic exocrine function in copper-deficient rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2013 Feb; 304(4):G437-48.
  View in: PubMed
 
3. Travagli RA. Of apples and oranges: GABA and glutamate transmission in neurones of the nucleus tractus solitarii could not be more different. J Physiol. 2012 Nov 15; 590(Pt 22):5559.
  View in: PubMed
 
4. Travagli RA. Neurones in the dorsal vagal complex may be more tasteful than expected. J.Physiol. 2012; (590):3637-3638.
 
5. Babic T, Browning KN, Kawaguchi Y, Tang X, Travagli RA. Pancreatic insulin and exocrine secretion are under the modulatory control of distinct subpopulations of vagal motoneurones in the rat. J Physiol. 2012 Aug 1; 590(Pt 15):3611-22.
  View in: PubMed
 
6. Llewellyn-Smith IJ, Kellett DO, Jordan D, Browning KN, Travagli RA. Oxytocin-immunoreactive innervation of identified neurons in the rat dorsal vagal complex. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Mar; 24(3):e136-46.
  View in: PubMed
 
7. Browning KN, Wan S, Baptista V, Travagli RA. Vanilloid, purinergic, and CCK receptors activate glutamate release on single neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius centralis. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2011 Aug; 301(2):R394-401.
  View in: PubMed
 
8. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Plasticity of vagal brainstem circuits in the control of gastrointestinal function. Auton Neurosci. 2011 Apr 26; 161(1-2):6-13.
  View in: PubMed
 
9. Tong M, Qualls-Creekmore E, Browning KN, Travagli RA, Holmes GM. Experimental spinal cord injury in rats diminishes vagally-mediated gastric responses to cholecystokinin-8s. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011 Feb; 23(2):e69-79.
  View in: PubMed
 
10. Babic T, Browning KN, Travagli RA. Differential organization of excitatory and inhibitory synapses within the rat dorsal vagal complex. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2011 Jan; 300(1):G21-32.
  View in: PubMed
 
11. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Plasticity of vagal brainstem circuits in the control of gastric function. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2010 Nov; 22(11):1154-63.
  View in: PubMed
 
12. Holmes GM, Browning KN, Tong M, Qualls-Creekmore E, Travagli RA. Vagally mediated effects of glucagon-like peptide 1: in vitro and in vivo gastric actions. J Physiol. 2009 Oct 1; 587(Pt 19):4749-59.
  View in: PubMed
 
13. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission in brainstem vagal circuits by NPY and PYY is controlled by cAMP levels. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2009 Dec; 21(12):1309-e126.
  View in: PubMed
 
14. Holmes GM, Tong M, Travagli RA. Effects of brain stem cholecystokinin-8s on gastric tone and esophageal-gastric reflex. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2009 Mar; 296(3):G621-31.
  View in: PubMed
 
15. Wan S, Browning KN, Coleman FH, Sutton G, Zheng H, Butler A, Berthoud HR, Travagli RA. Presynaptic melanocortin-4 receptors on vagal afferent fibers modulate the excitability of rat nucleus tractus solitarius neurons. J Neurosci. 2008 May 7; 28(19):4957-66.
  View in: PubMed
 
16. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Functional organization of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors in vagal brainstem circuits. J Neurosci. 2007 Aug 22; 27(34):8979-88.
  View in: PubMed
 
17. Wan S, Browning KN, Travagli RA. Glucagon-like peptide-1 modulates synaptic transmission to identified pancreas-projecting vagal motoneurons. Peptides. 2007 Nov; 28(11):2184-91.
  View in: PubMed
 
18. Viard E, Zheng Z, Wan S, Travagli RA. Vagally mediated, nonparacrine effects of cholecystokinin-8s on rat pancreatic exocrine secretion. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Aug; 293(2):G493-500.
  View in: PubMed
 
19. Wan S, Coleman FH, Travagli RA. Cholecystokinin-8s excites identified rat pancreatic-projecting vagal motoneurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Aug; 293(2):G484-92.
  View in: PubMed
 
20. Travagli RA. The nucleus tractus solitarius: an integrative centre with 'task-matching' capabilities. J Physiol. 2007 Jul 15; 582(Pt 2):471.
  View in: PubMed
 
21. Wan S, Coleman FH, Travagli RA. Glucagon-like peptide-1 excites pancreas-projecting preganglionic vagal motoneurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Jun; 292(6):G1474-82.
  View in: PubMed
 
22. Zheng Z, Travagli RA. Dopamine effects on identified rat vagal motoneurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2007 Apr; 292(4):G1002-8.
  View in: PubMed
 
23. Baptista V, Browning KN, Travagli RA. Effects of cholecystokinin-8s in the nucleus tractus solitarius of vagally deafferented rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Mar; 292(3):R1092-100.
  View in: PubMed
 
24. Browning KN, Zheng Z, Gettys TW, Travagli RA. Vagal afferent control of opioidergic effects in rat brainstem circuits. J Physiol. 2006 Sep 15; 575(Pt 3):761-76.
  View in: PubMed
 
25. Rogers RC, Hermann GE, Travagli RA. Stress and the colon: central-vagal or direct peripheral effect of CRF? Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Jun; 290(6):R1535-6.
  View in: PubMed
 
26. Rogers RC, Hermann GE, Travagli RA. Comments on "Hindbrain chemical mediators of reflex-induced inhibition of gastric tone produced by esophageal distension and intravenous nicotine". Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Apr; 290(4):R1151; author reply R1151-2.
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27. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Short-term receptor trafficking in the dorsal vagal complex: an overview. Auton Neurosci. 2006 Jun 30; 126-127:2-8.
  View in: PubMed
 
28. Hermann GE, Travagli RA, Rogers RC. Esophageal-gastric relaxation reflex in rat: dual control of peripheral nitrergic and cholinergic transmission. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Jun; 290(6):R1570-6.
  View in: PubMed
 
29. Travagli RA, Hermann GE, Browning KN, Rogers RC. Brainstem circuits regulating gastric function. Annu Rev Physiol. 2006; 68:279-305.
  View in: PubMed
 
30. Baptista V, Zheng ZL, Coleman FH, Rogers RC, Travagli RA. Cholecystokinin octapeptide increases spontaneous glutamatergic synaptic transmission to neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius centralis. J Neurophysiol. 2005 Oct; 94(4):2763-71.
  View in: PubMed
 
31. Baptista V, Zheng ZL, Coleman FH, Rogers RC, Travagli RA. Characterization of neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius pars centralis. Brain Res. 2005 Aug 9; 1052(2):139-46.
  View in: PubMed
 
32. Browning KN, Coleman FH, Travagli RA. Effects of pancreatic polypeptide on pancreas-projecting rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus neurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Aug; 289(2):G209-19.
  View in: PubMed
 
33. Browning KN, Coleman FH, Travagli RA. Characterization of pancreas-projecting rat dorsal motor nucleus of vagus neurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 May; 288(5):G950-5.
  View in: PubMed
 
34. Zheng H, Patterson LM, Morrison C, Banfield BW, Randall JA, Browning KN, Travagli RA, Berthoud HR. Melanin concentrating hormone innervation of caudal brainstem areas involved in gastrointestinal functions and energy balance. Neuroscience. 2005; 135(2):611-25.
  View in: PubMed
 
35. Zheng Z, Lewis MW, Travagli RA. In vitro analysis of the effects of cholecystokinin on rat brain stem motoneurons. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 May; 288(5):G1066-73.
  View in: PubMed
 
36. Browning KN, Kalyuzhny AE, Travagli RA. Mu-opioid receptor trafficking on inhibitory synapses in the rat brainstem. J Neurosci. 2004 Aug 18; 24(33):7344-52.
  View in: PubMed
 
37. Valenzuela IM, Browning KN, Travagli RA. Morphological differences between planes of section do not influence the electrophysiological properties of identified rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus neurons. Brain Res. 2004 Apr 2; 1003(1-2):54-60.
  View in: PubMed
 
38. Martinez-Peña y Valenzuela I, Rogers RC, Hermann GE, Travagli RA. Norepinephrine effects on identified neurons of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2004 Feb; 286(2):G333-9.
  View in: PubMed
 
39. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Neuropeptide Y and peptide YY inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission in the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. J Physiol. 2003 Jun 15; 549(Pt 3):775-85.
  View in: PubMed
 
40. Rogers RC, Travagli RA, Hermann GE. Noradrenergic neurons in the rat solitary nucleus participate in the esophageal-gastric relaxation reflex. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2003 Aug; 285(2):R479-89.
  View in: PubMed
 
41. Travagli RA, Hermann GE, Browning KN, Rogers RC. Musings on the wanderer: what's new in our understanding of vago-vagal reflexes? III. Activity-dependent plasticity in vago-vagal reflexes controlling the stomach. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2003 Feb; 284(2):G180-7.
  View in: PubMed
 
42. Lewis MW, Hermann GE, Rogers RC, Travagli RA. In vitro and in vivo analysis of the effects of corticotropin releasing factor on rat dorsal vagal complex. J Physiol. 2002 Aug 15; 543(Pt 1):135-46.
  View in: PubMed
 
43. Browning KN, Kalyuzhny AE, Travagli RA. Opioid peptides inhibit excitatory but not inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. J Neurosci. 2002 Apr 15; 22(8):2998-3004.
  View in: PubMed
 
44. Ferreira M, Browning KN, Sahibzada N, Verbalis JG, Gillis RA, Travagli RA. Glucose effects on gastric motility and tone evoked from the rat dorsal vagal complex. J Physiol. 2001 Oct 1; 536(Pt 1):141-52.
  View in: PubMed
 
45. Travagli RA, Rogers RC. Receptors and transmission in the brain-gut axis: potential for novel therapies. V. Fast and slow extrinsic modulation of dorsal vagal complex circuits. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2001 Sep; 281(3):G595-601.
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46. Lewis MW, Travagli RA. Effects of substance P on identified neurons of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2001 Jul; 281(1):G164-72.
  View in: PubMed
 
47. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Mechanism of action of baclofen in rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2001 Jun; 280(6):G1106-13.
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48. Guo JJ, Browning KN, Rogers RC, Travagli RA. Catecholaminergic neurons in rat dorsal motor nucleus of vagus project selectively to gastric corpus. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2001 Mar; 280(3):G361-7.
  View in: PubMed
 
49. Browning KN, Travagli RA. The peptide TRH uncovers the presence of presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors via activation of a second messenger pathway in the rat dorsal vagal complex. J Physiol. 2001 Mar 1; 531(Pt 2):425-35.
  View in: PubMed
 
50. Browning KN, Travagli RA. Characterization of the in vitro effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on identified neurones of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Br J Pharmacol. 1999 Nov; 128(6):1307-15.
  View in: PubMed
 
51. Browning KN, Renehan WE, Travagli RA. Electrophysiological and morphological heterogeneity of rat dorsal vagal neurones which project to specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract. J Physiol. 1999 Jun 1; 517 ( Pt 2):521-32.
  View in: PubMed
 
52. Zheng ZL, Travagli RA, Kreulen DL. Patterns of innervation of sympathetic vascular neurons by peptide-containing primary sensory fibers. Brain Res. 1999 May 8; 827(1-2):113-21.
  View in: PubMed
 
53. Zheng ZL, Rogers RC, Travagli RA. Selective gastric projections of nitric oxide synthase-containing vagal brainstem neurons. Neuroscience. 1999 May; 90(2):685-94.
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54. Browning KN, Zheng Z, Kreulen DL, Travagli RA. Two populations of sympathetic neurons project selectively to mesenteric artery or vein. Am J Physiol. 1999 Apr; 276(4 Pt 2):H1263-72.
  View in: PubMed
 
55. Rogers RC, Hermann GE, Travagli RA. Brainstem pathways responsible for oesophageal control of gastric motility and tone in the rat. J Physiol. 1999 Jan 15; 514 ( Pt 2):369-83.
  View in: PubMed
 
56. Browning KN, Zheng ZL, Kreulen DL, Travagli RA. Effects of nitric oxide in cultured prevertebral sympathetic ganglion neurons. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1998 Aug; 286(2):1086-93.
  View in: PubMed
 
57. Zheng Z, Shimamura K, Anthony TL, Travagli RA, Kreulen DL. Nitric oxide is a sensory nerve neurotransmitter in the mesenteric artery of guinea pig. J Auton Nerv Syst. 1997 Dec 11; 67(3):137-44.
  View in: PubMed
 
58. Bertolino M, Vicini S, Gillis R, Travagli A. Presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors inhibit excitatory synaptic transmission in rat brain stem. Am J Physiol. 1997 Mar; 272(3 Pt 1):G654-61.
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59. Travagli RA. Muscarine receptor activation in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the guinea pig. J Neurophysiol. 1996 Dec; 76(6):3817-22.
  View in: PubMed
 
60. Travagli RA, Wessendorf M, Williams JT. Dendritic arbor of locus coeruleus neurons contributes to opioid inhibition. J Neurophysiol. 1996 May; 75(5):2029-35.
  View in: PubMed
 
61. Travagli RA, Williams JT. Endogenous monoamines inhibit glutamate transmission in the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the guinea-pig. J Physiol. 1996 Feb 15; 491 ( Pt 1):177-85.
  View in: PubMed
 
62. Panico WH, Cavuto NJ, Kallimanis G, Nguyen C, Armstrong DM, Benjamin SB, Gillis RA, Travagli RA. Functional evidence for the presence of nitric oxide synthase in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Gastroenterology. 1995 Nov; 109(5):1484-91.
  View in: PubMed
 
63. Travagli RA, Dunwiddie TV, Williams JT. Opioid inhibition in locus coeruleus. J Neurophysiol. 1995 Aug; 74(2):518-28.
  View in: PubMed
 
64. Grudt TJ, Williams JT, Travagli RA. Inhibition by 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline in substantia gelatinosa of guinea-pig spinal trigeminal nucleus. J Physiol. 1995 May 15; 485 ( Pt 1):113-20.
  View in: PubMed
 
65. Travagli RA, Gillis RA. Effects of 5-HT alone and its interaction with TRH on neurons in rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Am J Physiol. 1995 Feb; 268(2 Pt 1):G292-9.
  View in: PubMed
 
66. Travagli RA, Gillis RA, Kellar KJ. S-adenosyl-L-methionine modulates firing rate of dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus neurones in vitro. Eur J Pharmacol. 1994 Nov 3; 264(3):385-90.
  View in: PubMed
 
67. Travagli RA, Gillis RA. Hyperpolarization-activated currents, IH and IKIR, in rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus neurons in vitro. J Neurophysiol. 1994 Apr; 71(4):1308-17.
  View in: PubMed
 
68. Travagli RA, Gillis RA. Nitric oxide-mediated excitatory effect on neurons of dorsal motor nucleus of vagus. Am J Physiol. 1994 Jan; 266(1 Pt 1):G154-60.
  View in: PubMed
 
69. Travagli RA, Gillis RA, Vicini S. Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on neurons in rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, in vitro. Am J Physiol. 1992 Oct; 263(4 Pt 1):G508-17.
  View in: PubMed
 
70. Travagli RA, Ulivi M, Wojcik WJ. gamma-Aminobutyric acid-B receptors inhibit glutamate release from cerebellar granule cells: consequences of inhibiting cyclic AMP formation and calcium influx. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1991 Sep; 258(3):903-9.
  View in: PubMed
 
71. Travagli RA, Gillis RA, Rossiter CD, Vicini S. Glutamate and GABA-mediated synaptic currents in neurons of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Am J Physiol. 1991 Mar; 260(3 Pt 1):G531-6.
  View in: PubMed
 
72. Wojcik WJ, Travagli RA, Costa E, Bertolino M. Baclofen inhibits with high affinity an L-type-like voltage-dependent calcium channel in cerebellar granule cell cultures. Neuropharmacology. 1990 Oct; 29(10):969-72.
  View in: PubMed
 
73. Paro M, Italiano G, Travagli RA, Petrelli L, Zanoni R, Prosdocimi M, Fiori MG. Cystometric changes in alloxan diabetic rats: evidence for functional and structural correlates of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. J Auton Nerv Syst. 1990 Apr; 30(1):1-11.
  View in: PubMed
 
74. Bertocchi F, Breviario F, Proserpio P, Wang JM, Ghezzi P, Travagli RA, Prosdocimi M, Dejana E. In vitro inhibition of human polymorphonuclear cell function by cloricromene. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1989 Jun; 339(6):697-703.
  View in: PubMed
 
75. Travagli RA, Zatta A, Banzatto N, Finesso M, Mariot R, Tessari F, Prosdocimi M. Molecular aspects of cloricromene (AD6) distribution in human platelets and its pharmacological effects. Thromb Res. 1989 May 15; 54(4):327-38.
  View in: PubMed
 
76. Tessari F, Travagli RA, Zanoni R, Prosdocimi M. Effects of long-term diabetes and treatment with gangliosides on cardiac sympathetic innervation: a biochemical and functional study in mice. J Diabet Complications. 1988 Jan-Mar; 2(1):34-7.
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77. Prosdocimi M, Paro M, Travagli RA, Tessari F. Alterations of the vegetative nervous system, experimental diabetes and pharmacological use of gangliosides. Funct Neurol. 1987 Oct-Dec; 2(4):559-62.
  View in: PubMed
 
78. Belluzzi O, Travagli RA, Bonifazzi C, Perri V. Quantitative evaluation of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor modulation of [3H]choline release in guinea pig superior cervical ganglia. Neurosci Lett. 1987 Jan 2; 73(1):65-70.
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Keyword
Last Name
Institution
    
 
 
 
Keywords   
Vagus Nerve
Brain Stem
Solitary Nucleus
Neurons
Synaptic Transmission
See all (359) keywords
Co-Authors  
Browning, Kirsteen
Holmes, Gregory
Tang, Xiaorui
See all (3) people
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