Neurons and Neurotransmitters that Control Phasic Laryngeal Motoneuron Activity [ 2007 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Paul Pilowsky (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Robert Berkowitz ,  Dr Qi Sun

Brief description Opening and closing of the vocal cords with breathing is an automatic function that is present before birth and is essential for life. Opening the vocal cords allows inspired air to enter the lungs and closure serves to protect the lungs from food and drink. Failure of coordination is associated with a range of life-threatening airway disorders, particularly in newborns. Nerves in the brain and the chemicals they release transmit the rhythm of breathing to the nerves that control the vocal cords. However, the specific neurons and chemicals involved are not known. This information is crucial in understanding the chemical disorder in the brain responsible for the loss of coordination between breathing and vocal cord activity, and in formulating strategies to treat these conditions using drugs that correct the chemical disorder. By way of example, we have used our animal studies to develop the first ever drug trial to treat children with congenital vocal cord paralysis, whose vocal cords fail to open with inspiration and require a tracheostomy. We have selected a drug that corrects the proposed disorder of brain chemistry responsible for this condition. This approach will serve as a template for the management of a variety of other life-threatening airway disorders in newborns using drugs that act on the brain. We will now carry out further experiments to identify the nerves and their chemicals that control the motoneurons that drive the vocal cords. The key experiment involves recording from inside an individual vocal cord motoneuron in the brain while simultaneously applying a range of chemicals to its external surface. By recording the response of the nerve, we can determine which chemicals control its activity. Using our knowledge of the pattern of chemicals released by respiratory neurons, we will identify neurons for further study, and establish chemical and anatomical relationships between the respiratory nerve and the vocal cord nerve.

Funding Amount $AUD 278,736.68

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant