Current Research Interests: Central control of cardiovascular function, cerebral blood flow, respiration, and regional vascular blood flows. Neural circuits involved in different reflex mechanisms (e.g., baroreflex, chemoreceptor reflex, cardiopulmonary reflex). Identification of the neurotransmitters and receptors in neural circuits mediating the afore-mentioned functions. Alterations of these control mechanisms in pathological states (e.g., hypertension, global cerebral ischemia, adult respiratory distress syndrome).

Major Techniques: The techniques involve central and peripheral neuronal recording, microinjections into the brain parenchyma, microiontophoretic and micro-pressure drug applications on neurons, and various blood-flow monitoring techniques. All the procedures involve
delicate microsurgery on small animals.

Major Scientific Contributions: (1) identification of neural pathways and transmitters involved in baroreceptor reflex, chemoreceptor reflex, and cardiopulmonary reflex, (2) identification of neural structures in the brainstem controlling cardiovascular and respiratory functions, (3) identification of spinal neural structures and neurotransmitters controlling cardiac, vascular and respiratory functions.

Representative Publications:

Chitravanshi, V.C., and H.N. Sapru, GABA receptors in the phrenic nucleus of the rat, Am. J. Physiol., 276: R420-R428, 1999.

Bhatnagar, T., V.C. Chitravanshi, and H. N. Sapru. Pressor responses to microinjections of excitatory amino acids into the area postrema of the rat, Brain Res., 822:192-199, 1999.

Chitravanshi, V.C., and H.N. Sapru, Phrenic nerve responses to chemical stimulation of the subregions of ventral medullary respiratory neuronal group in the rat, Brain Res., 821: 443-460, 1999.

Chitravanshi, V.C., and H.N. Sapru, Microinjections of carbachol into the phrenic motor nucleus inhibit phrenic nerve activity in the rat, Brain Res., 837: 298-300, 1999.

Marchenko, V. and H.N. Sapru, Different patterns of respiratory and cardiovascular responses elicited by chemical stimulation of dorsal medulla in the rat. Brain Res., 857: 99-109, 2000.

Dhar, S., F. Nagy, J. M. McIntosh, and H.N. Sapru. Receptor subtypes mediating depressor responses to microinjections of nicotine into the medial NTS of the rat. Am. J. Physiol. 279: R132-R140, 2000.

Aberger, K., V.C. Chitravanshi, and H.N. Sapru. Cardiovascular responses to microinjections of nicotine into the caudal ventrolateral medulla of the rat. Brain Res. 892: 138-146, 2001.