# DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROL OF THE DIAPHRAGM AND UPPER AIRWAYS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 1993 · $192,935

## Abstract

The goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the
mechanisms which coordinate the activation of the upper airway muscles
with that of the diaphragm during postnatal development. Dysfunction in
this system results in episodes of obstructive apneas found in premature
infants and adults with obstructive sleep apnea. These experiments are
designed to measure the changes in the membrane properties of the
respiratory motoneurons controlling the diaphragm and upper airways.

The specific aim of this proposal is to determine the role the intrinsic
properties of these motoneurons play in shaping their respiratory
discharge behavior during development. More specifically, do intrinsic
properties of the motoneuron control its neuronal behavior? The
evolution of cellular and ionic mechanisms controlling this behavior
will be studied during postnatal development. From these studies, we
hope to ascertain if there is any difference in the process of
maturation between these two motor pools and if so, what is the relative
sequence of attaining their adult discharge characteristics?

The active and passive membrane properties of these respiratory
motoneurons will be investigated using intracellular recording and
labeling techniques. The ionic mechanisms underlying these properties
will be delineated using single electrode current and voltage clamp in
both in vivo and in vitro mammalian preparations. An in vitro spinal
cord and brainstem since will be developed in order to study the
alteration in specific ionic currents during development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198646
- **Project number:** 5R01HD022703-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MKAGLD59JRL1
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM E. CAMERON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $192,935
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-02-01 → 1994-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198646, DEVELOPMENTAL CONTROL OF THE DIAPHRAGM AND UPPER AIRWAYS (5R01HD022703-09). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198646. Licensed CC0.

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