Cardiovascular variability rhythms in the efferent sympathetic discharge in decerebrate cats

In decerebrate and artificially ventilated cats the authors analyzed RR and sympathetic discharge variabilities by spectral techniques. In addition to the rhythmical oscillations related to cardiac beat and ventilation, a low-frequency (~0.1 Hz, LF) component was detectable in the neural signal. During reflex activation or inhibition of sympathetic discharge, a similar pattern of increases or reductions in LF of RR interval and sympathetic discharge is made. These findings further support the contribution of sympathetic neural efferent activity to the origin of 0.1 Hz rhythmical oscillation of heart period