Cerebellar modulation of cough motor pattern in cats

Cerebellar modulation of cough motor pattern in cats. J. Appl. Physiol. 83(2): 391-397, 1997.-The cerebellum modulates respiratory muscle activity in part via its influence on the central respiratory pattern generator. Because coughing requires well-coordinated respiratory muscle activity, studies were conducted to determine whether the cerebellum influences the centrally generated cough motor pattern. Integrated phrenic and lumbar efferent neurograms (PN and LN, respectively) were monitored in decerebrated, paralyzed, and ventilated cats. Mechanical probing of the intrathoracic trachea was used to evoke fictive coughs; i.e., large increases in PN and LN amplitudes. Cerebellectomy resulted in a decrease in the number of coughs per trial (cough frequency) and LN peak amplitudes without any consistent change in PN peak amplitudes. Cerebellar nuclei [the rostral interposed nucleus (INr) and the rostral fastigial nucleus (FNr)] known to be involved in respiratory control were ablated to determine their potential role in the cough response. Control (eupneic) respiratory frequency was not affected by cerebellectomy or INr/FNr lesions. Cough frequency was depressed by lesion of the INr but not by ablation of the FNr. No significant changes in PN and LN amplitudes were observed after lesion of either the INr or FNr. These results suggest that the cerebellum, specifically the INr, is involved in modulation of the frequency of centrally generated coughing.