Analysis of pattern generating neural networks for laryngeal multifunctional activities.

喉部负责各种行为，包括发声和上呼吸道反射，如吞咽。这些行为中的运动输出被认为是由脑干中的模式生成神经网络控制的。在这项研究中，在豚鼠中脑和髓质之间的区域确定了脑干发声部位。研究发现，吞咽相关神经元（SRNs）在吞咽过程中表现出不同类型的放电模式，并通过其在髓质内复杂的轴突投射形成吞咽神经网络。

The larynx serves various behaviors including vocalization and upper airway reflexes such as swallowing. It is considered that the motor output during these behaviors is controlled by pattern generating neural networks in the brainstem. In this study, the brainstem vocal sites were identified in the region between the midbrain and the medulla in guinea pigs. Swallowing-related neurons (SRNs) were identified, which has demonstrated that the SRNs exhibit various types of firing patterns during swallowing and that the SRNs form the neural network for swallowing with their complex axonal projections within the medulla.