BRAINSTEM NEURAL NETWORKS AND AIRWAY DEFENSIVE REFLEXES

本研究的目标是定义职能组织和 脑干网络的内部操作，通过它的呼吸道 防御性反射运动模式被产生和调节。 多神经元记录技术和棘波序列分析方法(即， 互相关、重力)将被用来确定平行和 假性咳嗽和喉部的连续神经元反应 过期反射和定义并发功能交互 在几个脑干的生理特征神经元中 地区。从这种方法得到的网络模型的似是而非的可能性 将通过计算机模拟进行测试。虚构的咳嗽和 呼气反射将由机械刺激 胸腔内的气管和喉，分别在去大脑， 瘫痪、呼吸困难的猫。 假设一.Botzinger/腹侧呼吸组(BOT/VRG)网络 相互作用会产生咳嗽模式，并传递到脊椎 呼吸性运动神经元。 假设II.咳嗽时喉部运动神经元的活动得到控制 BOT/VRG固有球神经元。 假设III：咳嗽感受器激活尾侧核神经元 孤束(NTS)，它同时将信息分发到 背侧呼吸群(DRG)和桥脑呼吸的神经元 组(PRG)。 假设IV.PRG神经元之间的功能连接有助于 它们的呼吸调节，类似于 节律/模式产生BOT/VRG神经元。 假设五：PRG调节BOT/VRG产生的咳嗽运动 特定神经元UON和中缝发散作用的模式 原子核。假设VI.中缝神经网络在 通过NTS、PRG和BOT/VRG的输入咳嗽。 假设七：中缝神经网络调节咳嗽运动 通过在机器人/VRG上的动作进行模式。其他平行研究：在 在计划的实验过程中，我们还将检查脑干 产生喉部呼气反射运动模式的机制。 呼吸道防御性反射对猪的日常生存至关重要 患有和不患有肺部疾病的个体；他们也可以加剧 其他病理情况。这些研究将为 可能对未来开发更多有用的信息 对涉及这些疾病的有效治疗干预 条件反射。

The goal of this research is to define the functional organization and internal operations of the brainstem network through which airway defensive reflex motor patterns are generated and modulated. Many-neuron recording technology and spike train analysis methods (i.e., cross-correlation, gravity) will be used to determine parallel and sequential neuronal responses during fictive cough and the laryngeal expiration reflex, and the define concurrent functional interactions among physiologically characterized neurons in several brainstem regions. The plausibility of network models derived from this approach will be tested with computer simulations. Fictive cough and the expiration reflex will be evoked by mechanical stimulation of the intrathoracic trachea and larynx, respectively, in decerebrated, paralyzed, ventilated cats. Hypothesis I. Botzinger/ventral respiratory group (BOT/VRG) network interactions produce the cough patterns that are relayed to spinal respiratory motoneurons. Hypothesis II. Laryngeal motoneuron activity during cough is controlled by BOT/VRG propriobulbar neurons. Hypothesis III. Cough receptors activate neurons in the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) which distribute information concurrently to neurons in the dorsal respiratory group (DRG), and pontine respiratory group (PRG). Hypothesis IV. Functional connectivity among PRG neurons contribute to their respiratory modulation, and are similar to interactions among rhythm/pattern generating BOT/VRG neurons. Hypothesis V. The PRG modulates the BOT/VRG generated cough motor pattern through divergent actions of specific neurons uon the and raphe nuclei. Hypothesis VI. The raphe neuronal network is modulated during cough by inputs from NTS, PRG, and BOT/VRG. Hypothesis VII. The raphe neuronal network modulates the cough motor pattern through actions on the BOT/VRG. Other Parallel Studies: In the course of the planned experiments, we will also examine brainstem mechanisms that generate laryngeal expiration reflex motor patterns. Airway defensive reflexes are essential for the day-to-day survival of individuals with and without lung disease; they can also exacerbate other pathological conditions. These studies will contribute basic information that could be useful for future development of more effective therapeutic interventions for disorders involving these reflexes.