Delineating neurons that underlie complex behaviors is of fundamental interest. We will exploit a novel method for extremely rapid changes in excitability of genetically targeted neurons to affect a robust and vital ongoing regulatory behavior in rodents, i.e., breathing. Breathing is a remarkable behavior that mediates gas exchange to support metabolism and regulate pH. A reliable and robust rhythm is essential for breathing in mammals. Failure to maintain a normal breathing rhythm in humans suffering from sleep apnea, apnea of prematurity, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, hyperventilation syndrome, Rett syndrome, and perhaps sudden infant death syndrome, leads to serious adverse health consequences, even death. Various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple systems atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are associated with sleep disordered breathing that we hypothesize results from the loss of neurons in brain areas controlling respiration. If breathing is to be understood in normal and in pathological conditions, the mechanisms for respiratory rhythmogenesis must be revealed. We focus on two brain sites essential for generation of the normal breathing pattern, the preBvtzinger Complex and the retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial respiratory group. Using a viral delivery system, we will express genetically encoded opsins in various phenotypes of neurons in these key regions. Rapid changes in excitability of these neurons by administration of light pulses delivered via an optical fiber implanted in these sites in anesthetized, awake or sleeping rats should produce noticeable, even profound perturbations in breathing. Analysis of such perturbations will provide an extraordinary window into understanding mechanisms of respiratory rhythm and pattern generation.

Public Health Relevance

In humans, continuous breathing from birth is essential to life and requires that the nervous system generate a reliable and robust rhythm that drives inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The proposed studies will significantly advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms generating respiratory rhythm and shed light on human disorders of breathing.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS072211-02
Application #
8128666
Study Section
Respiratory Integrative Biology and Translational Research Study Section (RIBT)
Program Officer
Mitler, Merrill
Project Start
2010-08-15
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2011-08-01
Budget End
2012-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$330,138
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Yang, Cindy F; Feldman, Jack L (2018) Efferent projections of excitatory and inhibitory preBötzinger Complex neurons. J Comp Neurol 526:1389-1402
Cui, Yan; Kam, Kaiwen; Sherman, David et al. (2016) Defining preBötzinger Complex Rhythm- and Pattern-Generating Neural Microcircuits In Vivo. Neuron 91:602-14
Li, Peng; Janczewski, Wiktor A; Yackle, Kevin et al. (2016) The peptidergic control circuit for sighing. Nature 530:293-297
Feldman, Jack L; Kam, Kaiwen (2015) Facing the challenge of mammalian neural microcircuits: taking a few breaths may help. J Physiol 593:3-23
Sherman, David; Worrell, Jason W; Cui, Yan et al. (2015) Optogenetic perturbation of preBötzinger complex inhibitory neurons modulates respiratory pattern. Nat Neurosci 18:408-14
Feldman, Jack L; Del Negro, Christopher A; Gray, Paul A (2013) Understanding the rhythm of breathing: so near, yet so far. Annu Rev Physiol 75:423-52
Janczewski, Wiktor A; Tashima, Alexis; Hsu, Paul et al. (2013) Role of inhibition in respiratory pattern generation. J Neurosci 33:5454-65
Feldman, Jack L (2011) Chapter 14--looking forward to breathing. Prog Brain Res 188:213-8