Synapse Regulation.

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain. As such, they rapidly detect changes in normal brain homeostasis and accurately respond by fine-tuning in a tightly regulated manner their morphology, gene expression, and functional behavior. Depending on the nature of these changes, microglia can thicken and retract their processes, proliferate and migrate, release numerous signaling factors and compounds influencing neuronal physiology (e.

The molecular makeup of peripheral and central baroreceptors: stretching a role for Transient Receptor Potential (TRP), Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC), Acid Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC), and Piezo channels.

The autonomic nervous system maintains homeostasis of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, immune, and thermoregulatory function. Homeostasis involves a variety of feedback mechanisms involving peripheral afferents, many of which contain molecular receptors sensitive to mechanical deformation, termed mechanosensors. Here, we focus on the molecular identity of mechanosensors involved in the baroreflex control of the cardiovascular system.

The interplay between 5-HT and 5-HT receptors in the dorsal periaqueductal gray mediates anxiety-like behavior in mice.

The monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) modulates anxiety by its activity on 5-HT receptors (5-HTR) expressed in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG). Here, we investigated the presence of 5-HT receptors (5-HTR) in the dPAG, and the interplay between 5-HTR and 5-HTR in the dPAG in mediating anxiety-like behavior in mice. We found that 5-HTR is expressed in the dPAG and the blockade of these receptors using intra-dPAG infusion of ondansetron (5-HTR antagonist; 3.

Thyroid hormones during the perinatal period are necessary to respiratory network development of newborn rats.

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for foetal brain development. Because the gestating mother is the main source of THs to the foetus, maternal hypothyroidism and/or premature birth compromise neurological outcomes in the offspring. Respiratory instability and recurrent apneas due to immaturity of the respiratory control network are major causes of morbidity in infants.

Sex-Specific Effects of Stress on Respiratory Control: Plasticity, Adaptation, and Dysfunction.

As our understanding of respiratory control evolves, we appreciate how the basic neurobiological principles of plasticity discovered in other systems shape the development and function of the respiratory control system. While breathing is a robust homeostatic function, there is growing evidence that stress disrupts respiratory control in ways that predispose to disease. Neonatal stress (in the form of maternal separation) affects "classical" respiratory control structures such as the peripheral O sensors (carotid bodies) and the medulla (e.

Disruption of estradiol regulation of orexin neurons: a novel mechanism in excessive ventilatory response to CO inhalation in a female rat model of panic disorder.

Panic disorder (PD) is ~2 times more frequent in women. An excessive ventilatory response to CO inhalation is more likely during the premenstrual phase. While ovarian hormones appear important in the pathophysiology of PD, their role remains poorly understood as female animals are rarely used in pre-clinical studies.

Preventing acute asthmatic symptoms by targeting a neuronal mechanism involving carotid body lysophosphatidic acid receptors.

Asthma accounts for 380,000 deaths a year. Carotid body denervation has been shown to have a profound effect on airway hyper-responsiveness in animal models but a mechanistic explanation is lacking. Here we demonstrate, using a rat model of asthma (OVA-sensitized), that carotid body activation during airborne allergic provocation is caused by systemic release of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

On the origins of sex-based differences in respiratory disorders: Lessons and hypotheses from stress neuroendocrinology in developing rats.

The environment plays a critical role in shaping development and function of the brain. Stress, especially when experienced early in life, can interfere with these processes. In the context of respiratory control, perinatal stress can therefore alter the ability to achieve the "fine-tuning" necessary for proper detection of chemosensory stimuli and production of an adequate motor (respiratory) command.

Consequences of maternal omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on respiratory function in rat pups.

Key Points: Incomplete development of the neural circuits that control breathing contributes to respiratory disorders in pre-term infants. Manifestations include respiratory instability, prolonged apnoeas and poor ventilatory responses to stimuli. Based on evidence suggesting that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) improves brain development, we determined whether n-3 PUFA supplementation (via the maternal diet) improves respiratory function in 10-11-day-old rat pups.

Erythropoietin in the Locus coeruleus attenuates the ventilatory response to CO in rats.

The Locus coeruleus (LC) is a pontine area that contributes to the CO/pH chemosensitivity. LC cells express erythropoietin (Epo) receptors (EpoR), and Epo in the brainstem is a potent normoxic and hypoxic respiratory stimulant. However, a recent study showed that the intra-cisternal injection (ICI) of Epo antagonist does not alter the hypercapnic ventilatory response in mice.