- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Stuttering Research and Treatment
- Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Phonetics and Phonology Research
- Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Language Development and Disorders
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Marine animal studies overview
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Neonatal Health and Biochemistry
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Infant Health and Development
- Reading and Literacy Development
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
2017-2025
National Institutes of Health
2017-2025
Stony Brook University
2025
University College London
2015-2023
In terrestrial mammals, the oxygen storage capacity of CNS is limited, and neuronal function rapidly impaired if supply interrupted even for a short period time. However, tension monitored by peripheral (arterial) chemoreceptors not sensitive to regional differences in partial pressure (P<sub>O<sub>2</sub></sub>) that reflect variable levels activity or local tissue hypoxia, pointing necessity functional brain sensor. This experimental animal (rats mice) study shows astrocytes, most numerous...
The speed of impulse transmission is critical for optimal neural circuit function, but it unclear how the appropriate conduction velocity established in individual axons. influenced by thickness myelin sheath and morphology electrogenic nodes Ranvier along Here we show that nodal gap length are reversibly altered astrocytes, glial cells contact Ranvier. Thrombin-dependent proteolysis a cell adhesion molecule attaches to axon (neurofascin 155) inhibited vesicular release thrombin protease...
Abstract Astrocytes provide neurons with essential metabolic and structural support, modulate neuronal circuit activity may also function as versatile surveyors of brain milieu, tuned to sense conditions potential insufficiency. Here we show that astrocytes detect falling cerebral perfusion pressure activate CNS autonomic sympathetic control circuits increase systemic arterial blood heart rate the purpose maintaining flow oxygen delivery. Studies conducted in experimental animals (laboratory...
Abstract Astrocytes are implicated in modulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic function, but it remains unknown if these glial cells can directly control activities motor circuits to influence complex behaviors vivo. This study focused on the vital respiratory rhythm-generating preBötzinger (preBötC) determined how compromised function local astrocytes affects breathing conscious experimental animals (rats). Vesicular release mechanisms were disrupted by virally driven expression...
Key points The ventilatory response to reduced oxygen (hypoxia) is biphasic, comprising an initial increase in ventilation followed by a secondary depression. Our findings indicate that, during hypoxia, astrocytes the pre‐Bötzinger complex (preBötC), critical site of inspiratory rhythm generation, release gliotransmitter that acts via P2Y 1 receptors stimulate and reduce In vitro analyses reveal ATP excitation preBötC involves receptor‐mediated Ca 2+ from intracellular stores. By identifying...
Abstract Astrocytes, the most abundant and structurally complex glial cells of central nervous system, are proposed to play an important role in modulating activities neuronal networks, including respiratory rhythm‐generating circuits preBötzinger (preBötC) located ventrolateral medulla brainstem. However, structural properties astrocytes residing within different brainstem regions unknown. In this study preBötC, intermediate reticular formation (IRF) region with respiratory‐related...
Dopamine, the main catecholamine neurotransmitter in brain, is predominately produced basal ganglia and released to various brain regions including frontal cortex, midbrain brainstem. Dopamine's effects are widespread include modulation of a number voluntary innate behaviors. Vigilant regulation dopamine levels throughout imperative for proper execution motor behaviors, particular speech other types vocalizations. While dopamine's role circuitry widely accepted, its unique function normal...
Neuronal cell groups residing within the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) and C1 area of rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata contribute to maintenance resting respiratory activity arterial blood pressure, play an important role in development cardiorespiratory responses metabolic challenges (such as hypercapnia hypoxia). In rats, acute silencing neurons parafacial region which includes RTN aspect circuit (pFRTN/C1), transduced express HM4D (Gi-coupled) receptors, was found dramatically...
Abstract Current models of respiratory CO 2 chemosensitivity are centred around the function a specific population neurons residing in medullary retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN). However, there is significant evidence suggesting that chemosensitive exist other brainstem areas, including rhythm‐generating region medulla oblongata – preBötzinger complex (preBötC). There also astrocytes, non‐neuronal brain cells, contribute to central chemosensitivity. In this study, we reevaluated relative...
Respiratory activity is controlled by inputs from the peripheral and central chemoreceptors. Since overactivity of carotid bodies, main chemoreceptors, linked to pathophysiology disparate metabolic cardiovascular diseases, body denervation (CBD) has been proposed as a potential treatment. However, long-term effects CBD on respiratory rhythm regularity breathing remain unknown. Here, we show that five weeks after bilateral in rats, was slower less regular. Ten CBD, frequency not different...
Stuttering is a childhood onset fluency disorder that leads to impairment in speech. A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study was conducted with 10 adult subjects observe the effects of risperidone (a dopamine receptor 2/serotonin 2 antagonist) on brain metabolism, using [ 18 F] deoxyglucose as marker. At baseline and after 6 weeks taking (0.5–2.0 mg/day) or placebo pill, participants were assigned solo reading aloud task for 30 min subsequently underwent 90-min positron...
Vocal production involves intricate neural coordination across various brain regions. Stuttering, a common speech disorder, has genetic underpinnings, including mutations in lysosomal-targeting pathway genes. Using Gnptab-mutant mouse model linked to stuttering, we examined neuron and glial cell morphology vocal circuits. Our findings revealed altered astrocyte microglia processes these circuits mice, while control regions remained unaffected. results shed light on the potential role of...
The respiratory system maintains homeostatic levels of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body through rapid efficient regulation breathing frequency depth (tidal volume). commonly used methods analyzing data behaving experimental animals are usually subjective, laborious, time-consuming. To overcome these hurdles, we optimized an analysis toolkit for unsupervised study activities animal subjects. Using this tool, analyzed behaviors common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World...
More than 70 million people worldwide are affected by developmental stuttering. It is important to reach out the public, scientific and medical communities, those who stutter with a goal raise awareness about In this short perspective, we argue that educate, advocate, spread stuttering, need role models, support, opportunities.
Synuclein (α, β, and γ) proteins are highly expressed in presynaptic terminals, significant data exist supporting their role regulating neurotransmitter release. Targeting the gene encoding α-synuclein is basis of many animal models Parkinson's disease (PD). However, physiological this family not well understood could be especially relevant as interfering with accumulation level has therapeutic potential limiting PD progression. The long-term effects removal unknown given complex...
Stuttering, also known as childhood-onset fluency disorder, is a condition associated with disruptions in the timing and initiation of speech common symptoms repetition, pausing, and/or prolongation words. Stuttering can be motor or phonic tics, cognitive avoidance, social anxiety [1,2]. There strong comorbidity stuttering attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [3]. By definition, this may interfere an individual's social, occupational, academic achievement.
Astrocytes, the star-shaped glial cells, are most abundant non-neuronal cell population in central nervous system. They play a key role modulating activities of neural networks, including those involved complex motor behaviors. Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), vocal non-human primate (NHP), have been used to study physiology vocalization and social production. However, circuitry production is not fully understood. In addition, even less known about involvement astrocytes this circuit....