MEDULLARY MECHANISMS OF RESPIRATORY CONTROL

来自对有节奏的行为，如行走、飞行、游泳和 呼吸，神经元控制的一种常见的概念组织 出现了有节奏的动作。现在几乎所有人都同意了 有节奏的运动背后的基本运动模式是由 由一个中央模式生成器组成的神经元网络。建议数 项目是一项网络、突触和细胞机制的分析 哺乳动物(豚鼠)呼吸系统内的模式生成。 主要的问题是：细胞和突触的基础是什么 对于哺乳动物呼吸节律的产生？ 将采取电生理和组织学相结合的方法。 拟议的实验分为三个主要部分。首先是 无源和有源综合性能的表征 已知受累脑干区域的延髓神经元 呼吸控制。其次是对其结构的形态分析 用细胞内染色技术观察延髓神经元。第三个是 脑内突触连接模式的定位和表征 多次细胞内记录的延髓呼吸核仁 技巧。为了这些目的，我们开发了一种体外脑干 并论证了多层切片法的可行性 细胞内记录。切片制剂提供了极好的 学习电学、形态和突触特性的机会 在细胞水平上的延髓神经元用其他方法是不可能的。 这些信息将在评估当前或未来时非常有用 关于模式产生的细胞基础的假设 哺乳动物呼吸系统和对运动研究的兴趣 一般情况下，系统。

From studies of rhythmic behaviors such as walking, flying, swimming, and breathing, a common conceptual organization for the neuronal control of rhythmic movements has emerged. There is now nearly universal agreement that the basic motor pattern underlying rhythmic movements is produced by a network of neurons comprising a central pattern generator. The proposed project is a network, synaptic, and cellular analysis of mechanisms of pattern generation within the mammalian (guinea pig) respiratory system. The major question addressed is: what is the cellular and synaptic basis for generation of the mammalian respiratory rhythm? A combined electrophysiological and histological approach will be taken. The proposed experiments are divided into three major sections. First is characterization of the passive and active integrative properties of medullary neurons in regions of the brain stem known to be involved respiratory control. Second is a morphological analysis of structure of medullary neurons using intracellular staining techniques. Third is mapping and characterizing patterns of synaptic connectivity between medullary respiratory nucleic using multiple intracellular recording techniques. For these purposes we have developed an in vitro brain stem slice preparation and demonstrated the feasibility of multiple intracellular recording. The slice preparation provides an excellent opportunity to study electrical, morphological, and synaptic properties of medullary neurons at a cellular level not possible with other approaches. Such information will be extremely useful in evaluating current or future hypotheses for the cellular basis of pattern generation within the mammalian respiratory system and be of interest to the study of motor systems in general.