Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfu ....Dysfunction of the nervous system plays an important role in the symptoms of many respiratory diseases. For example, excessive non-productive coughing, elevated mucous secretion, reduced airway patency and hyperreactivity are all characteristic symptoms of diseases such as asthma and all involve over-activity of the nervous system. This research aims to understand the neural circuitry that is involved in controlling the airways and the mechanisms that underlie how this circuitry can become dysfunctional.Read moreRead less
Intrinsic Response Of Airways To Cyclical Dilation And Elongation In Breathing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,014.00
Summary
Variations in lung pressures during breathing produce cyclical expansion of the airway tubes. These respiratory movements provide one of the most powerful protective mechanisms for the lung. The protective mechanism fails in asthma so that cyclical expansion of the airway tubes can make breathing more difficult. Current belief is that protective and harmful effects of lung expansion occur by either relaxation or contraction of the muscles lining the airway tubes. Findings from this laboratory su ....Variations in lung pressures during breathing produce cyclical expansion of the airway tubes. These respiratory movements provide one of the most powerful protective mechanisms for the lung. The protective mechanism fails in asthma so that cyclical expansion of the airway tubes can make breathing more difficult. Current belief is that protective and harmful effects of lung expansion occur by either relaxation or contraction of the muscles lining the airway tubes. Findings from this laboratory suggest that the above dogma needs reconsideration. The project will utilize a novel model of the lung to enable us to determine the mechanisms producing both the protective effect, and in asthmatics the harmful effects of cyclical lung expansion. Once the part of the lung that 'fails' in this aspect of asthma has been detected then therapeutic strategies can be put in place to reverse the defect.Read moreRead less