PHAR 5091.007

Course Name: Central Cardio-Respiratory Systems: Current Understanding and Current Controversies

Course Director: Dr. Steve Mifflin

Course Content:

The regulation of cardio-respiratory function by central networks is an intensively studied area. Research into these networks and the neurons that comprise them utilizes state-of-the-art neuroscience approaches to answer functionally important questions of great clinical significance. This microelective will provide the student with an overview of the physiology and pharmacology of the neurons that regulate cardio-respiratory function and their adaptations to chronic alterations in physiological state. The readings below, all published within the past 5 years, provides a framework of the major concepts and technical advances in this area. The reading list includes several in the Point:Counterpoint format to make students aware of current controversies in these fields. Additional readings can be selected depending upon the particular interests of a given student/class.  The course will meet for 1 hour per week during a fall or spring semester and 2 hours per week during a summer semester.

Topics:

• Anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of central cardiovascular regulation
• Central cardiovascular regulation in hypertension

• Anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of central respiratory regulation

• Current models of respiratory rhythmogenesis

• Cardio-respiratory regulation in hypoxia

Readings:

Guyenet, PG. The sympathetic control of blood pressure. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 7:335, 2006.

Stocker SD, . Simmons JR, Stornetta RL, Toney GM, Guyenet PG. Water deprivation activates a glutamatergic projection from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus to the rostral ventrolateral medulla. J. Comp. Neurology 494:673, 2006.

Mifflin, S.W.  New insights into the electrophysiology of brainstem circuits controlling blood pressure. Current Hypertension Reports 9:236, 2007.

Waki et la., Circulation.  Endothelial NO synthase activity in nucleus tractus solitarii contributes to hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. 48:644, 2006.

Bailey TW, Hermes SM, Andresen MC, Aicher SA. Cranial visceral afferent pathways through the nucleus of the solitary tract to caudal ventrolateral medulla or paraventricular hypothalamus: target-specific synaptic reliability and convergence patterns. J. Neuroscience 26:11893, 2006.

Richardson GB vs. Guyenet PG. Exchange of Views Series:  Honing in on the specific phenotype(s) of central respiratory chemoreceptors. Exptl. Physiology 90.3:259, 2005.

Mitchell, GS and Johnson, SM. Neuroplasticity in respiratory motor control. J. Applied Physiology 94:358, 2003.

Lalley, PM. µ-Opioid receptor agonist effects on medullary respiratory neurons in the cat: evidence for involvement in certain types of ventilatory disturbances. American Journal of Physiology (Reg. Int. Comp.) 285:R1287, 2003.

Feldman JL vs. Onimura H. Point:Counterpoint: The parafacial respiratory group (pFRG)/pre-Botzinger complex (preBotC) is/is not the primary site of respiratory rhythm generation in the mammal. J App Physiol 100:2096, 2006.

Ramirez JM vs. Paton, JFR. Point:Counterpoint: Medullary pacemaker neurons are/are not essential for both eupnea and gasping in mammals. J App Physiol 103:707, 2007.

Feldman JL and Del Negro CA. Looking for inspiration: new perspectives on respiratory rhythm. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 7:232, 2006.

Duffin, J. Functional organization of respiratory neurones: a brief review of current questions and speculations.  Exptl. Physiology 89.5; 517, 2004.

Grading:

Grading (letter grade) will be based on participation in class discussions (70%) and a final take home exam.

Pre-requisites: INTD 5000; PHAR 5001; Consent of Instructor

Credit Hours: 1 credit

When offered: Any Semester