Control of breathing in vertebrates: effects of chronic respiratory challenges and modulation of discontinuous breathing

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This research examines some of the mechanisms involved in controlling breathing in anuran amphibians (frogs and toads). Unlike humans and other mammals, amphibians do not breathe continuously. Rather they display a discontinuous pattern of breathing called periodic breathing. This type of breathing can take the form of irregular single breaths, the occasional occurrence of pairs of breaths or the grouping of breaths (usually 4-8) into discrete episodes separated by periods of no breathing called apneas (which can be several minutes in length). While periodic breathing is normal in amphibians, it is abnormal and pathological in humans. Humans can display this pattern of breathing during sleep either due to an obstruction of the airway (obstructive sleep apnoea) or due to abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate continuous breathing (central sleep apnoea). Either form of sleep apnoea in humans is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease such as heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, apnoea is associated with a reduction in oxygen levels in the blood and an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood due to the absence of continuous breathing. In general, a reduction in oxygen levels is called hypoxia while an increase in carbon dioxide levels is called hypercapnia.