Neuro-physiological mechanisms of perceived respiratory discomfort (dyspnea) in humans under conditions of physiological stress

生理应激条件下人类感知呼吸不适（呼吸困难）的神经生理机制

• 批准号: 402598-2011
• 负责人: Jensen, Dennis
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=506700
• 关键词: Neuro; physiological; mechanisms; perceived; respiratory

"Dyspnea" is the term used to describe the awareness of increased breathing discomfort that accompanies an increase in physical stress (e.g., exercise) in humans. In the general population, the symptom of dyspnea is an independent predictor of disability and death. In patients with chronic lung and/or heart disease, dyspnea contributes importantly to exercise intolerance and perceived poor health-related quality-of-life. Nevertheless, the causes of dyspnea remain poorly understood, largely understudied and represent the primary focus of my research program. Accordingly, the proposed studies will systematically test the hypothesis that the intensity, quality and unpleasantness of dyspnea is modulated by a complex and dynamic interaction between the drive to breathe and the simultaneous mechanical/muscular response of the respiratory system. To this end, detailed physiological and perceptual responses to strenuous exercise on a stationary bicycle will be examined and compared under several experimental conditions designed to increase the drive to breathe, impair the mechanical/muscular response of the respiratory system or both in combination. In addition, these studies will (i) isolate the role of the sensory nerves in the lungs, airways and breathing muscles in dyspnea causation and (ii) examine the role of the central nervous system in shaping the expression of dyspnea by comparing physiological and perceptual responses to exercise before and after specific interventions designed to alter the activity of these contributory factors. The results from these studies will not only enhance our fundamental understanding of integrative human respiratory and sensory physiology, they will provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of dyspnea causation and, by extension, dyspnea relief in both health and disease.

“呼吸困难”是一个术语，用于描述人类随着身体压力（例如运动）的增加而意识到呼吸不适的增加。 在一般人群中，呼吸困难症状是残疾和死亡的独立预测因素。 在患有慢性肺病和/或心脏病的患者中，呼吸困难是导致运动不耐受和健康相关生活质量不佳的重要原因。 然而，呼吸困难的原因仍然知之甚少，很大程度上没有得到充分研究，这也是我研究项目的主要焦点。 因此，拟议的研究将系统地检验以下假设：呼吸困难的强度、质量和不愉快程度是由呼吸驱动与呼吸系统同时机械/肌肉反应之间复杂且动态的相互作用调节的。 为此，将在几种旨在增加呼吸动力、损害呼吸系统的机械/肌肉反应或两者结合的实验条件下检查和比较对固定自行车上剧烈运动的详细生理和感知反应。 此外，这些研究将（i）分离肺部、气道和呼吸肌中感觉神经在呼吸困难病因中的作用，以及（ii）通过比较旨在改变这些促成因素活动的特定干预措施前后对运动的生理和知觉反应，检查中枢神经系统在形成呼吸困难表达中的作用。 这些研究的结果不仅将增强我们对人类呼吸和感觉生理学综合的基本理解，还将为呼吸困难的因果机制提供有价值的见解，进而为健康和疾病的呼吸困难缓解提供宝贵的见解。