A dp/dt method to assess dynamic properties of lung mechanoreceptors.
The activity of airway slowly adapting mechanoreceptors (SARs) reflects the presence of both a static and dynamic component. The dynamic response is typically assessed by the adaptation index; however, this is an indirect reflection of the more appropriate physiological stimulus, the rate of change of inflation pressure (dp/dt). We describe a method in which measurement of receptor discharge exceeding the SAR static response is used to measure dynamic discharge and dynamic sensitivity of lung mechanoreceptors. Repeat inflations with varying dp/dt illustrate the method for a SAR in which the dynamic sensitivity is inversely related to dp/dt and the initial "onset" discharge is highly dp/dt sensitive. The method may provide new insight into the classification and behaviour of lung mechanoreceptors.
Schweitzer
C E
CE
Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Henri Poincaré, 9 Av. de la Forêt de Haye, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, 54505 France. cyril.schweitzer@medecine.uhp-nancy.fr
Johnson
J L
JL
Escudero
C A
CA
Vincent
S G
SG
Fisher
J T
JT
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008322:Mammals; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena