Dr. Pranay S. Yadav (M.Phil. Scholar) presented a seminar on Regulation of Respiration with special reference to pacemaker cells of the pre-Bötzinger Complex.
Taking a reductionist approach, discussion proceeded from the most directly observable behaviour - breathing, to the microcircuit-level mechanistic models that explain rhythmogenesis. Key areas of discussion gravitated towards the following:
- Biomechanics of breathing - movements of the ribcage & action of various muscles
- Historical explorations of neural regulation of respiration
- Functional & neuroanatomical organization of the higher respiratory centres
- Respiratory Cycle - Phases, functional neuronal types, Macrocircuits, Microcircuits, effects of Transections at various levels.
- Pre-Bötzinger Complex:
~ Rhythmogenicity - Pacemaker Hypothesis vs Group Pacemaker Hypothesis
~ Oscillatory Bursting Mechanisms:
- Persistent Sodium Current-dependent [INaP] burst generation
- Calcium-activated non-selective Cationic Current-dependent [ICaN] burst generation
- Involvement of the RTN/pFRG - a second oscillator?
- Regulation of respiration by non-neural factors - Chemoreceptors, Mechanoreceptors, Baroreceptors
- Disorders - Ondine's Curse/CCHS, SIDS, Sleep Apnoeas.