For the roughly 300,000 people in the United States living with spinal cord injuries, breathing complications remain the leading cause of illness and death. But, according to newswise.com, the results of a new study, led by researchers at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, show promise that a group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord-called interneurons-can boost breathing when the body faces certain physiological challenges, such as exercise and environmental conditions associated with altitude.
Philippidou, an associate professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, headed a study revealing that a specific group of nerve cells-known as interneurons in the brain and spinal cord-play a critical role in boosting breathing during physical stress, such as exercise, high altitude or elevated carbon dioxide levels. The findings were recently published in Cell Reports.
“While we know the brainstem sets the rhythm for breathing,” Philippidou said, “the exact pathways that increase respiratory motor neuron output, have been unclear-until now.”
Her team found that when signals from these spinal cord interneurons were blocked, the body struggled to adapt its breathing in response to high carbon dioxide levels, a dangerous condition that can lead to respiratory failure. The results suggest these cells could become a promising and accessible target for new therapies aimed at helping spinal cord injury patients breathe independently.
“These spinal cord cells are important for helping the body adjust its breathing in response to changes like high CO2 levels,” Philippidou said.
Using genetically modified mouse models, researchers mapped neural connections, tracked electrical activity and visualized neuron structure to pinpoint how this specialized subset of spinal cord neurons supports respiration.
“We were able to define the genetic identity, activity patterns and role of a specialized subset of spinal cord neurons involved in controlling breathing,” Philippidou said.
The international research team included collaborators from the UK, Canada and Greece. Next, the group will explore whether targeting these neurons could also improve breathing in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s-extending the potential impact of the discovery well beyond spinal cord injury.
Source: newswise.com
