What is periaqueductal gray?
Periaqueductal gray, or pag, is an area of mammals that plays several important roles in mediation of pain perception, reproductive behavior and cardiovascular activity. It is located in midbrain, under the brain and brain and above the brain, the pag is a vertically oriented area that surrounds the brain aqueduct. The above roles explain some connections between it and other areas of the brain. In addition, this area may allow certain painkillers to work as it seems to be a place where they modify normal activity regulation.
primarily, periaqueductal gray function that has been well studied is the way it affects pain perception. The connection between brain cells or neurons in Pag runs to the Medully area known as the core raphe magnus. There are connections from this core with all spinal cord levels. When these pag neurons are stimulated, it will cause matching medulubes to fire and send messages to the spinal cord. This string of activity hasAs a result, pain signals send from the body to be inhibited and reduce the feeling of pain.
Another important duty of periaqueductal gray seems to be an involvement in reproductive activity. Some areas of Pag, when activated in animals, result in sexually receptive behavior in women. In this reaction, the connection between PAG and the hypothalamus can play an important role. There are also differences between many men and women in the size of this area. Such differences can help explain why some studies show the differences in the effectiveness of drugs that affect the pag between men and women.
Studies at the University of Naples in Italy have shown that periaqueductal gray can affect cardiovascular activity. Some cells in the pag appear to be arranged in columns capable of raising or lowering blood pressure. Stimulation of neurons in these columns may cause changes to resistance that veins for PR mustBlood. Normally, the brain may release molecules called neuropeptides that can allow blood pressure to be controlled.
The periaqueductal gray roles can also exceed those listed. Rats have some defensive reflexes, such as the behavior of freezing, which may be related to the activation of specific neurons in Pag. Consciousness in different species may also require the presence of this area. This is because PAG damage can lead to unconsciousness. Future research between animals and humans can reveal other functions of this area and also expand understanding currently recognized duties.