Noradrenergic cell group A5 is a group of cells in the vicinity of the
superior olivary complex
The superior olivary complex (SOC) or superior olive is a collection of brainstem nuclei that is located in pons, functions in multiple aspects of hearing and is an important component of the ascending and descending auditory pathways of the aud ...
in the
pontine tegmentum
The pontine tegmentum, or dorsal pons, is the dorsal part of the pons located within the brainstem. The ventral part or ventral pons is known as the basilar part of the pons, or basilar pons. Along with the dorsal surface of the medulla oblonga ...
that label for norepinephrine in primates, rodents and other mammals.
The noradrenergic A5 pontine cell group receives inputs from the hypothalamus and several brainstem areas extending from the midbrain to the medulla. It has reciprocal connections with these areas. Its major output is to the spinal cord. These anatomical connections suggest a role in autonomic regulation and A5 has been implicated in control of heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. It may also be involved in modulation of pain as part of the descending mesencephalic to spinal cord system.
[Pertovaara, Antti. "Noradrenergic pain modulation." Progress in neurobiology 80, no. 2 (2006): 53-83.]
References
External links
BrainInfo
Norepinephrine
{{neuroanatomy-stub