A microcomputer system for quantitative analysis of neural activity in the regulation of the cardiovascular system

A microcomputer-based system designed to verify the aspects involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular function is described. Neural discharge measurements are associated with changes in heart rate and arterial blood pressure on a beat-by-beat basis. The system uses an IBM-PC with analog-to-digital converter and a dedicated device to study a point process. The software has been applied in research protocols using rats to clarify different aspects of neural control of the cardiovascular system. The relationship of pulse pressure and renal sympathetic activity in conscious rats has been studied. Beat-by-beat analysis of renal sympathetic activity in sinoartic denervated rats has shown that in neurogenic hypertension there is not only an increase of neural discharges but also a change in the pattern of renal sympathetic activity correlated with arterial pressure