Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Neuroinflammation Undermines Respiratory Motor Plasticity After Chronic Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Abstract
The goal of this project is to determine the impact of chronic intermittent hypoxia, a primary feature of sleep apnea, on respiratory recovery and plasticity following chronic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Prior work has shown that chronic intermittent hypoxia can trigger neuroinflammation and impair expression of respiratory plasticity. This this work has important clinical applications in SCI, since the prevalence of sleep apnea is much higher in than the uninjured population. Thus, it raises concern that individuals with chronic SCI who also suffer from sleep apnea may have limited potential for plasticity and recovery of breathing function, if underlying inflammation is not addressed. Major accomplishments from this award include: 1) demonstrating that a single exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia impairs phrenic motor plasticity in chronic cervical SCI, 2) prolonged exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia impairs phrenic motor plasticity in both the intact and chronically injured nervous system, 3) daily administration (but not a single, acute dose) of anti-inflammatories restores expression of phrenic motor plasticity after prolonged exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia in both the intact and chronically injured nervous system, and 4) protocol specific effects of intermittent hypoxia likely differentially impact mechanisms of respiratory motor plasticity, particularly in the context of chronic SCI. Success of this project can lead to a significant paradigm shift in current approaches to managing respiratory dysfunction after SCI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1196237
Entities
People
- Elisa J. Gonzalez-rothi
Organizations
- University of Florida