PAPERZILLA
Crunching Academic Papers into Bite-sized Insights.
About
Sign Out
← Back to papers
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Monosynaptic Projections to Excitatory and Inhibitory preBötzinger Complex Neurons
★
★
★
★
☆
SHARE
Overview
Paper Summary
Conflicts of Interest
Identified Weaknesses
Rating Explanation
Good to know
Topic Hierarchy
File Information
Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Brain's Breath Control Center Gets a Wiring Diagram: Emotions, Thoughts, and Breathing All Linked!
This study identified the brainstem and suprapontine regions that directly project to excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), the breathing rhythm generator. Surprisingly, both neuron types receive input from the same brain areas involved in various functions including breathing, emotion, and motor control, implying that the balance of these inputs, rather than separate pathways, may fine-tune breathing.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified.
Identified Weaknesses
Small Sample Size
The limited sample size (n=5 for SST-Cre and n=4 for GlyT2-Cre mice) raises concerns about the generalizability of the findings. Larger cohorts are needed to confirm the observed projection patterns and to address potential false negatives due to the inherent sparsity of rabies tracing.
Potential for Mistargeting During Injections
The study acknowledges the possibility of mistargeting during viral injections, which could lead to inaccurate identification of starter cells and subsequently misinterpretations of projection patterns. While anatomical landmarks were used to verify injection sites, precise targeting within the small preBötC remains a challenge.
Lack of Functional Analysis
Although the study identifies direct monosynaptic projections, it doesn't investigate the functional impact of these projections on breathing. Further research involving electrophysiological recordings and manipulations of these pathways is needed to understand how they modulate respiratory activity.
Rating Explanation
This study provides valuable insights into the organization of neural circuits controlling breathing by identifying direct inputs to distinct preBötC neuron subpopulations. The use of modified rabies tracing is a strength, enabling precise mapping of monosynaptic connections. However, the limited sample size and potential for mistargeting slightly lower the rating. Overall, the findings are significant and contribute to our understanding of breathing regulation, warranting a rating of 4.
Good to know
This is our free standard analysis. Paperzilla Pro fact-checks every citation, researches author backgrounds and funding sources, and uses advanced AI reasoning for more thorough insights.
Explore Pro →
Topic Hierarchy
File Information
Original Title:
Monosynaptic Projections to Excitatory and Inhibitory preBötzinger Complex Neurons
File Name:
pdf.pdf
[download]
File Size:
16.51 MB
Uploaded:
July 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Privacy:
🌐 Public
© 2025 Paperzilla. All rights reserved.