Respiratory control model with brainstem CPG and sensory feedback (Diekman, Thomas, and Wilson 2017)

This is a closed-loop respiratory control model incorporating a central pattern generator (CPG), the Butera-Rinzel-Smith (BRS) model, together with lung mechanics, oxygen handling, and chemosensory components. The closed-loop system exhibits bistability of bursting and tonic spiking. Bursting corresponds to coexistence of eupnea-like breathing, with normal minute ventilation and blood oxygen level. Tonic spiking corresponds to a tachypnea-like state, with pathologically reduced minute ventilation and critically low blood oxygen. In our paper, we use the closed-loop system to demonstrate robustness to changes in metabolic demand, spontaneous autoresuscitation in response to hypoxia, and the distinct mechanisms that underlie rhythmogenesis in the intact control circuit vs. the isolated, open-loop CPG.

Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell

Region(s) or Organism(s): Brainstem

Cell Type(s): Respiratory column neuron; PreBotzinger complex neuron

Currents: I Na,p; I Na,t; I K

Model Concept(s): Pacemaking mechanism; Respiratory control

Simulation Environment: MATLAB; XPPAUT

Implementer(s): Diekman, Casey O. [casey.o.diekman at njit.edu]

References:

Diekman CO, Thomas PJ, Wilson CG. (2017). Eupnea, tachypnea, and autoresuscitation in a closed-loop respiratory control model. Journal of neurophysiology. 118 [PubMed]