Interdependence of cellular and network properties in respiratory rhythm generation.

How breathing is generated by the preBötzinger complex (preBötC) remains divided between two ideological frameworks, and a persistent sodium current (I) lies at the heart of this debate. Although I is widely expressed, the pacemaker hypothesis considers it essential because it endows a small subset of neurons with intrinsic bursting or "pacemaker" activity. In contrast, burstlet theory considers I dispensable because rhythm emerges from "preinspiratory" spiking activity driven by feed-forward network interactions.

Inactivity-induced phrenic motor facilitation requires PKCζ activity within phrenic motor neurons.

Prolonged inhibition of respiratory neural activity elicits a long-lasting increase in phrenic nerve amplitude once respiratory neural activity is restored. Such long-lasting facilitation represents a form of respiratory motor plasticity known as inactivity-induced phrenic motor facilitation (iPMF). Although facilitation also occurs in inspiratory intercostal nerve activity after diminished respiratory neural activity (iIMF), it is of shorter duration.

Modeling Effects of Variable preBötzinger Complex Network Topology and Cellular Properties on Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression and Recovery.

The preBötzinger complex (preBötC), located in the medulla, is the essential rhythm-generating neural network for breathing. The actions of opioids on this network impair its ability to generate robust, rhythmic output, contributing to life-threatening opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). The occurrence of OIRD varies across individuals and internal and external states, increasing the risk of opioid use, yet the mechanisms of this variability are largely unknown.

Interdependence of cellular and network properties in respiratory rhythmogenesis.

How breathing is generated by the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) remains divided between two ideological frameworks, and the persistent sodium current () lies at the heart of this debate. Although is widely expressed, the considers it essential because it endows a small subset of neurons with intrinsic bursting or "pacemaker" activity. In contrast, considers dispensable because rhythm emerges from "pre-inspiratory" spiking activity driven by feed-forward network interactions.