Firing characteristics of swallowing interneurons in the dorsal medulla during physiologically induced swallowing in perfused brainstem preparation in rats

•Activities of swallowing neurons during physiologically evoked swallow were assessed.•About half neurons were inactive without response to pharyngolaryngeal afferents.•For individual neurons, the peak activities were varied based on swallowing onset.•Neuronal modulations by capsaicin injection were modest compared to water injection.