These carbon dioxide-sensing neurons wake up mice

Stimulating a population of neurons in the midbrain with carbon dioxide (CO2) awakens adult male mice without enhancing breathing, finds a study published inJNeurosci.These findings are relevant to understanding disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Rising levels of CO2 trigger the drive to breathe, and cause arousal from sleep. Disorders that interfere with this important signal can disrupt sleep and, in some cases, lead to death. The mechanism by which CO2 causes arousal from sleep—a reflex critical to survival—is not well understood.

Gordon Buchanan and colleagues demonstrate that activation of在中脑中缝背核(DRN)有限公司2-saturated, artificial cerebrospinal fluid woke up sleeping mice. Activation of similar neurons in the medulla, on the other hand, increased breathing but did not wake the mice up. The study identifies a direct pathway through which CO2 induces arousal independent of changes in breathing.

More information:Dorsal raphe serotonin neurons mediate CO2- induced arousal from sleep,JNeurosci(2018).DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2182-17.2018

Journal information: Journal of Neuroscience

Citation: These carbon dioxide-sensing neurons wake up mice (2018, January 29) retrieved 27 April 2023 from //www.pyrotek-europe.com/news/2018-01-carbon-dioxide-sensing-neurons-mice.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Sleeping through the snoring: Researchers identify neurons that rouse the brain to breathe

5shares

Feedback to editors