Vagal suppression of diurnal variations in acute intermittent hypoxia-induced phrenic long-term facilitation

Journal of Neurophysiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Alec L. E. Butenas, Mehdi Ahmadian, Alexandria B. Marciante, Aaron A. Jones, Stefano de Castro, Gordon S. Mitchell
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00102.2026
Cited by: 1
References: 63

Abstract

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) induces phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) via competing serotonin versus adenosine-driven signaling cascades. pLTF mechanisms are typically studied in anesthetized, vagotomized rats. We report in anesthetized rats that intact vagus nerves: 1) lower blood pressure and spinal oxygen tension during hypoxic episodes; 2) increase the adenosine constraint of serotonin-driven pLTF; and 3) abolish diurnal variations in pLTF magnitude. Thus, vagal feedback regulates pLTF via indirect effects on the spinal serotonin/adenosine balance.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neuroscience of respiration and sleep Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Neurophysiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
136
Issue
1
Pages
16–28
Publication date
2 June 2026
Language
EN