Editorial: Neuromodulatory Control of Brainstem Function in Health and Disease

Editorial on the Research Topic Neuromodulatory Control of Brainstem Function in Health and Disease The brainstem plays a crucial role in the control of locomotion, posture, balance, arousal (alertness, awareness, and consciousness), sensory information processing, respiration, autonomic functions (including control of blood pressure, heart rate, bowel, and bladder), and is responsible for the regulation of multiple reflexes including coughing, swallowing, and vomiting. [...]transmitters such as the monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, or noradrenaline), acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA can alter electrical and synaptic properties of neurons by acting on metabotropic (G protein-coupled) receptors which affect signal transduction pathways. Légat et al. found that selective stimulation of angiotensin II type 2 receptors within the RVLM in normotensive rats increases local GABA levels and decreases blood pressure. Movement-Related Disorders A group of studies focused on movement-related disorders provide valuable insight into gait impairments, muscle weakness, postural control and motor excitability in disorders resulting from focal ischemic stroke, hemiparetic stroke, post-stroke hemiplegic gait, Parkinson disease (PD), or restless legs syndrome.