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Neurosciences Commons

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2007

Life Sciences

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

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Full-Text Articles in Neurosciences

Phenotypic Properties And Intrinsic Currents Of Neurons Involved In The Neural Generation Of Mammalian Breathing, John A. Hayes Jan 2007

Phenotypic Properties And Intrinsic Currents Of Neurons Involved In The Neural Generation Of Mammalian Breathing, John A. Hayes

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Breathing is essential for mammalian life. Although there is an emerging consensus that the inspiratory respiratory rhythm is generated in a lower brainstem region known as the preBotzinger Complex (preBotC), the mechanism of rhythmogenesis is still unclear. Additionally, the modulation of intrinsic currents within preBotC neurons has yet to be fully elucidated. This dissertation addresses both of these issues and relies on imaging, electrophysiological, and modeling techniques. The first chapter examines the size and composition of the preBotC. The chapter also decribes the means by which substance P (SP) excites the vast majority of preBotC neurons by illustrating the characteristics …