title: The Kölliker-Fuse nucleus: a review of animal studies and the implications for cranial nerve function in humans.
abstract: To review the scientific literature on the relationship between Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KF) and cranial nerve function in animal models, with view to evaluating the potential role of KF maturation in explaining age-related normal physiologic parameters and developmental and acquired impairment of cranial nerve function in humans. Medical databases (Medline and PubMed). Studies investigating evidence of KF activity responsible for a specific cranial nerve function that were based on manipulation of KF activity or the use of neural markers were included. Twenty studies were identified that involved the trigeminal (6 studies), vagus (9), and hypoglossal nerves (5). These pertained specifically to a role of the KF in mediating the dive reflex, laryngeal adductor control, swallowing function and upper airway tone. The KF acts as a mediator of a number of important functions that relate primarily to laryngeal closure, upper airway tone and swallowing. These areas are characterized by a variety of disorders that may present to the otolaryngologist, and hence the importance of understanding the role played by the KF in maintaining normal function.
authors.affiliation: Division of ENT Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. nanna.browaldh@karolinska.se.|Department of ENT Diseases, B 53, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden. nanna.browaldh@karolinska.se.|Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. nanna.browaldh@karolinska.se.
authors.forename: Nanna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Browaldh
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Tara G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dutschmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D065836:Kolliker-Fuse Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cranial nerve function; Dive reflex; Kölliker Fuse nucleus; Laryngeal adductor reflex; Maturation; Nucleus subparabrachialis; Swallowing