Reconfiguration of the neural network controlling multiple breathing patterns: eupnea, sighs and gasps [see comment].
Are different forms of breathing derived from one or multiple neural networks? We demonstrate that brainstem slices containing the pre-Bötzinger complex generated two rhythms when normally oxygenated, with striking similarities to eupneic ('normal') respiration and sighs. Sighs were triggered by eupneic bursts under control conditions, but not in the presence of strychnine (1 microM). Although all neurons received synaptic inputs during both activities, the calcium channel blocker cadmium (4 microM) selectively abolished sighs. In anoxia, sighs ceased, and eupneic activity was reconfigured into gasping, which like eupnea was insensitive to 4 microM cadmium. This reconfiguration was accompanied by suppression of synaptic inhibition. We conclude that a single medullary network underlies multiple breathing patterns.
Lieske
S P
SP
Committee on Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, 1027 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Thoby-Brisson
M
M
Telgkamp
P
P
Ramirez
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007323:Instinct; D051379:Mice; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects; D010507:Periodicity; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013331:Strychnine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
D002104:Cadmium; D013331:Strychnine