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Central Nervous Chemoreceptors and Respiratory Drive

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Encyclopedia of Neuroscience

Synonyms

Central chemoreception

Definition

Central nervous chemoreception refers to the process by which changes in PCO2 and pH within the central nervous system are detected and stimulate or inhibit respiration. Respiratory drive here refers to the endogenous stimulation of normal respiration that arises, in part, from central chemoreceptors.

Characteristics

Respiration

Respiration serves to exchange O2 and CO2 between body and atmosphere. The initiation and maintenance of respiration occurs in the brainstem and involves a network of respiratory neurons (see Respiratory Network Analysis). The amount of respiration depends on the response of this neuronal network to inhibitory and excitatory afferent input from peripheral and central sensors (see Respiratory Reflexes; Carotid Body Chemoreception and Respiratory Drive). Here we discuss central chemoreception.

Central Chemoreceptors: Locations and Cell Types

Central chemoreception was initially identified by the presence of respiratory...

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References

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Nattie, E., Li, A. (2009). Central Nervous Chemoreceptors and Respiratory Drive. In: Binder, M.D., Hirokawa, N., Windhorst, U. (eds) Encyclopedia of Neuroscience. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29678-2_892

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