Breathing: rhythmicity, plasticity, chemosensitivity.

Full Abstract

Breathing is a vital behavior that is particularly amenable to experimental investigation. We review recent progress on three problems of broad interest. (i) Where and how is respiratory rhythm generated? The preBötzinger Complex is a critical site, whereas pacemaker neurons may not be essential. The possibility that coupled oscillators are involved is considered. (ii) What are the mechanisms that underlie the plasticity necessary for adaptive changes in breathing? Serotonin-dependent long-term facilitation following intermittent hypoxia is an important example of such plasticity, and a model that can account for this adaptive behavior is discussed. (iii) Where and how are the regulated variables CO2 and pH sensed? These sensors are essential if breathing is to be appropriate for metabolism. Neurons with appropriate chemosensitivity are spread throughout the brainstem; their individual properties and collective role are just beginning to be understood.

Author information

Author/s: Feldman, Jack L (JL); Mitchell, Gordon S (GS); Nattie, Eugene E (EE);

Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1763, USA. feldman(-atsign-)ucla.edu

Grants: HD 36379 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; HL 28066 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL 37941 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL 40959 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL 53319 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL 65383 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; HL 69064 (Agency:NHLBI NIH HHS) ; NS 24742 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Annual review of neuroscience (Annu Rev Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-; vol 26 (issue ) : pp 239-66

Dates: Created 2003/10/06; Completed 2003/11/10; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12598679, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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