The functional role of GABA/glycinergic cotransmitting neurons in the respiratory network

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Swen Hülsmann
• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Network Neuroscience ; Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449503339

Breathing requires a complex pattern of activity of neurons within the respiratory network in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata and precise timing of synaptic inhibition is an essential contributor to proper function of this network and some respiratory neurons release GABAergic and glycinergic neurons. GABA/glycine cotransmitting neurons (GGCN) are very common in the embryonic ventrolateral medulla but their number decreases during maturation. Many neurons that are GGCN around birth develop into glycinergic neurons but still a significant number remains cotransmitting. This project aims to reveal the functional relevance of GGCNs for the network function by addressing four specific questions: (1) What are the physiological properties of individual GGCN in the respiratory network? (2) How are GGCN integrated into the circuitry of the respiratory network? How does optogenetic activating of GGCN alters the different phases of the respiratory rhythm? (4) What are the physiological consequences of inactivation of GGCN? (5) Are GGCN relevant to adjust the breathing rhythm to environmental changes? To achieve this aim, the project can rely on novel transgenic mouse tools allowing identification of GGCNs and cell specific expression of optogenetic tools.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants