The regulatory mechanism of the respiratory system is always a hot topic in the neurobiology field. Many researchers proposed multitudinous respiratory network models and explored their internal connections. For further understanding the effect of the respiratory system in breathing, we have built a simplified respiratory network model and studied the relations between each neuron in this network. We, firstly, removed the pre-I neuron from the network and found that there are abundant bifurcation phenomena with respect for the interspike intervals (ISIs). In addition, a large number of unusual firing patterns were observed in the network under conditions of AC stimulation. After adjusting the potassium conductance in the pre-I neuron by a different tonic drive from the d1 input, we show the transition from bursting patterns to analogous single spiking and, subsequently, convert-bursting patterns. Moreover, when sodium ion channels were removed or synaptic connections and tonic drives in the network were excluded, the network activity showed relevant variations. This may help to explain some functions of ion channels or certain neurons of the network. Finally, the biparametric screening plane with the excitatory synaptic conductance and persistent sodium conductance has been drawn. Graduations in this plane reflected different firing patterns, such as tonic spiking, bursting, and aperiodic bursting. Our results provide important insights for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the respiratory network and the surrounding structures.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
T. Lumsden, “Observations on the respiratory centres in the cat,” J. Physiol., 57, 153-160 (1923).
F. E. Bloom and V. B. Mountcastle, Intrinsic Regulatory Systems of the Brain, Vol. 4, American Physiological Society (1986).
D. W. Richter, D. Ballantyne, and J. E. Remmers, “How is the respiratory rhythm generated? A model,” Physiology, 1, 109-112 (1986).
C. von Euler, “Brain stem mechanisms for generation and control of breathing pattern,” in Suppl. 11, Handbook of Physiology, The Respiratory System, Control of Breathing, Compehens. Physiol. (1986).
A. L. Bianchi, M. Denavit-Saubie, and J. Champagnat, “Central control of breathing in mammals: neuronal circuitry, membrane properties, and neurotransmitters,” Physiol. Rev., 75, 1-45 (1995).
I. A. Rybak, A. P. L. Abdala, and S. N. Markin, “Spatial organization and state-dependent mechanisms for respiratory rhythm and pattern generation,” Prog. Brain Res., 165, 201-220 (2007).
J. C. Smith, A. P. L. Abdala, H. Koizumi, et al., “Spatial and functional architecture of the mammalian brain stem respiratory network: a hierarchy of three oscillatory mechanisms,” J. Neurophysiol., 98, 3370-3387 (2007).
J. C. Smith, A. P. L. Abdala, I. A. Rybak, et al., “Structural and functional architecture of respiratory networks in the mammalian brainstem,” Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. B, Biol. Sci., 364, 2577-2587 (2009).
J. C. Smith, A. P. L. Abdala, A. Borgmann, et al., “Brainstem respiratory networks: building blocks and microcircuits,” Trends Neurosci., 36, 152-162 (2013).
G. F. Alheid, W. K Milsom, and D. R. McCrimmon, “Pontine influences on breathing: an overview,” Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol., 143, 105-114 (2004).
R. M. Harper, M. A. Woo, and J. R. Alger. “Visualization of sleep influences on cerebellar and brainstem cardiac and respiratory control mechanisms,” Brain Res. Bull., 53, No. 1, 125-131 (2000).
A. von Leupoldt, A. Keil, P. Y. S. Chan, et al., “Cortical sources of the respiratory-related evoked potential,” Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol., 170, No. 2, 198-201 (2010).
M. I. Cohen, “Neurogenesis of respiratory rhythm in the mammal,” Physiol. Rev., 59, No. 4, 1105-1173 (1979).
W. Wang, M. L. Fung, and W. M. St John, “Pontile regulation of ventilatory activity in the adult rat,” J. Appl. Physiol., 74, No. 6, 2801-2811 (1993).
J. S. Jodkowski, S. K. Coles, and T. E. Dick, “A ‘pneumotaxic centre’ in rats,” Neurosci. Lett., 172, No. 1, 67-72 (1994).
S. F. Morrison, S. L. Cravo, and H. M. Wilfehrt, “Pontine lesions produce apneusis in the rat,” Brain Res., 652, No. 1, 83-86 (1994).
W. M. S. John, “Neurogenesis of patterns of automatic ventilatory activity,” Prog. Neurobiol., 56, No. 1, 97-117 (1998).
J. Duffin, “A commentary on eupnoea and gasping,” Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol., 139, No. 1, 105-111 (2003).
W. M. S. John and J. F. R. Paton, “Defining eupnea,” Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol., 139, No. 1, 97-103 (2003).
J. C. Smith, R. J. Butera, N. Koshiya, et al., “Respiratory rhythm generation in neonatal and adult mammals: the hybrid pacemaker–network model,” Respir. Physiol., 122, No. 2, 131-147 (2000).
Y. I. Molkov, N. A. Shevtsova, C. Park, et al., “A closed-loop model of the respiratory system: Focus on hypercapnia and active expiration,” PloS One, 9, No. 10, e109894 (2014).
J. E. Rubin, B. J. Bacak, Y. I. Molkov, et al., “Interacting oscillations in neural control of breathing: modeling and qualitative analysis,” J. Comput. Neurosci., 30, No. 3, 607-632 (2011).
I. A. Rybak, J. F. R. Paton, and J. S. Schwaber, “Modeling neural mechanisms for genesis of respiratory rhythm and pattern. I. Models of respiratory neurons,” J. Neurophysiol., 77, No. 4, 1994-2006 (1997).
J. E. Rubin, N. A. Shevtsova, G. B. Ermentrout, et al., “Multiple rhythmic states in a model of the respiratory central pattern generator,” J. Neurophysiol., 101, No. 4, 2146-2165 (2009).
J. F. Paton, A. P. Abdala, H. Koizumi, et al., “Respiratory rhythm generation during gasping depends on persistent sodium current,” Nat. Neurosci., 9, No. 3, 311-314 (2006).
I. A. Rybak, K. Ptak, N. A. Shevtsova, et al., “Sodium currents in neurons from the rostroventrolateral medulla of the rat,” J. Neurophysiol., 90, No. 3, 1635-1642 (2003)
R. J. Butera, J. Rinzel, and J. C. Smith, “Models of respiratory rhythm generation in the pre-Bötzinger complex. I. Bursting pacemaker neurons,” J. Neurophysiol., 82, No. 1, 382-397 (1999).
M. M. Ali, K. K. Sellers, and F. Fröhlich, “Transcranial alternating current stimulation modulates large-scale cortical network activity by network resonance,” J. Neurosci., 33, No. 27, 11262-11275 (2013).
R. F. Helfrich, T. R. Schneider, S. Rach, et al., “Entrainment of brain oscillations by transcranial alternating current stimulation,” Curr. Biol., 24, No. 3, 333-339 (2014).
T. Neuling, S. Rach, and C. S. Herrmann., “Orchestrating neuronal networks: sustained after-effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation depend upon brain states,” Front. Human Neurosci., 7, No. 1, 161 (2013).
K. L. Kilgore and N. Bhadra, “Nerve conduction block utilizing high-frequency alternating current,” Med. Biol. Eng. Comput., 42, No. 3, 394-406 (2004).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, Y., Liu, S. & Xiong, D. Respiratory Rhythm in a Simplified Respiratory Network Model. Neurophysiology 50, 83–92 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-018-9721-7
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-018-9721-7