| [ Summary ] |
Central neurons involved in gastric acid secretion were previously clarified in experiments, such as those involving electrical stimulation and brain lesions, as well as injections of various substances into the brain. The c-Fos method, devised for the detection of neurons excited by various stimuli, has been adopted for the identification of neurons involved in gastric acid secretion. Peripheral injection of peptides, such as ghrelin and gastrin, which have stimulatory effects on gastric acid secretion induced c-Fos proteins in brain neurons. Central nuclei and regions which may participate in gastric acid secretion were found to be those including the following: the subfornical organ, the supraoptic nucleus, the paraventricular the hypthalamic nucleus, the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, the lateral habenular nucleus, the arcuate nucleus, the central nucleus amygdala, the locus coeruleus, the lateral parabrachial nucleus, the nucleus tractus solitarii, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve, the parapyramidal region, the ventrolateral medulla and the postrema area. |