A common denominator in the pathogenesis of asthma

The pathogenic mechanisms demonstrated and the relevant theories advanced do not explain the characteristic features of asthma completely. A disturbance in the pattern of the rhythmic activity of the respiratory center which generates the pattern of the respiratory cycle is suggested as the basic mechanism underlying the different varieties of asthma. This disturbance is proposed to be responsible for rhythmic hyperresponsiveness of airway smooth muscles and also the other muscles of respiration to a variety of stimuli leading to a subclinical template of asthma. In response to different etiological factors, this template is proposed to give rise to the characteristic features, common to different varieties of asthma.