Locus Coeruleus

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

• Norepinephrine: Main source of NE in brain
  • Pain & Stress response
• Lateral to colliculus facialis
• Blue spot = melanin

Anatomy

Within the reticular formation

Input

• Activated by nerves from the Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)

Note

Opioids inhibit the GABA neuron in the PAG, which increases activation of the nerves coming from the PAG and increasing release of NE by the Locus Coeruleus

Output

Rigidity

Alterations in the brainstem circuits, including this one, can result in abnormal muscle tone, specifically rigidity¹

References

1.

Ganguly J, Kulshreshtha D, Almotiri M, Jog M. Muscle Tone Physiology and Abnormalities. Toxins. 2021;13(4):282. doi:10.3390/toxins13040282