Authors: Haxhiu, Musa A.; Balan, Kannan V.; Acquah, Sandra S.; Kc, Prabha

Source: Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews, Volume 2, Number 4, November 2006 , pp. 383-391(9)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Our understanding of mechanisms involved in worsening of airway function during sleep is incomplete. Therefore, this work is aimed to link central neuronal structures alternating wakefulness and sleep with the neuronal network regulating the activity of airway-related vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs). Based on knowledge derived from previous studies, we build a dynamic model in which AVPNs transmit excitatory signals to the intrinsic tracheo-bronchial ganglia controlling airway and lung effector cells. The model indicates that cholinergic outflow to the airways depends on the inhibitory inflow from the monoaminergic and GABAergic cell groups to AVPNs. Inhibitory neurons projecting to the AVPNs are connected to the hypothalamic sleep-promoting region. When activated, this cell group, using GABA and/or galanin as mediators, downregulate activity of inhibitory neurons that project to AVPNs. In airway disorders, diminished inhibitory transmission contributes to impaired withdrawal of cholinergic outflow and long lasting bronchoconstriction. Therefore, changes that occur during sleep result in a shift from inhibitory to excitatory transmission to the AVPNs, leading to increased cholinergic outflow to the airways. This framework can be safely used in explaining sleep-related worsening of bronchial asthma, and might, hopefully, contribute to the further development of research in this field.

Keywords: Sleep-generating sites; serotonergic neurons; noradrenergic neurons; GABAergic neurons; nocturnal asthma; airway- related vagal preganglionic neurons

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339806778777168

Affiliations: 1: Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, Suite 3100, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-6010, USA.

Publication date: 2006-11-01

More about this publication?

• Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on respiratory diseases and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, pathogenesis, clinical care, and therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians in respiratory medicine.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine
• By this author: Haxhiu, Musa A. ;  Balan, Kannan V. ;  Acquah, Sandra S. ;  Kc, Prabha

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers