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[An amphibian model for the study of evolutionary respiratory control]

Eduardo Cuestas1, José Bas

  • 1Servicio de Pediatría y Neonatología, Hospital Privado, Centro Formador, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. ecuestas@hospitalprivadosa.com.ar

Revista De La Facultad De Ciencias Medicas (Cordoba, Argentina)
|September 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Premature newborns require intensive care for respiratory immaturity. Bullfrog brainstem models offer advantages for studying respiratory control development and modulation in vertebrates.

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Comparative Physiology

Context:

  • Advances in perinatal care increase premature newborn survival.
  • Premature infants often experience respiratory system immaturity, leading to instability and apnea.
  • This necessitates sophisticated intensive care and prolonged hospitalization.

Purpose:

  • To review recent advances in respiratory evolutionary neurobiology.
  • To highlight the utility of in vitro bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) brainstem preparations as a model system.
  • To explore the ontogeny of respiratory control and episodic breathing.

Summary:

  • The article reviews research on respiratory control development, focusing on episodic breathing.
  • It discusses the technical advantages of using bullfrog brainstem preparations over traditional rodent models.
  • The role of serotoninergic and GABAergic modulation in respiratory control during development is examined.

Impact:

  • Provides insights into the fundamental principles of respiratory control across vertebrates.
  • Offers a valuable comparative model for understanding developmental respiratory challenges.
  • Informs potential therapeutic strategies for respiratory disorders in premature infants.

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