Contribution of Locus Coeruleus (LC) glial cells in the cardiorespiratory response to hypercapnia and in the manifestation of CO2-induced panic attacks

• Grant number: 22/05057-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luciane Helena Gargaglioni Batalhão
• Grantee: Alana Tercino Frias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/01702-2 - Physiopathology of CO2 sensitivity: role of locus coeruleus, AP.TEM

Abstract

In humans, inhalation of CO2 can trigger anxiety, fear and panic. Recently, it has been demonstrated that microglial pro-inflammatory responses may constitute a unique chemosensory system for the detection of homeostatic threats, such as CO2 inhalation, relevant to the pathophysiology of panic. Astrocytic dysfunction is also known to influence synaptic activity; evidence has shown that astrocytes can modulate neuronal circuits and influence behavior, in addition to detecting physiological changes in pH, activating neurons in the respiratory network, thus contributing to the development of adaptive respiratory responses to increased PCO2/[H+]. Therefore, the general objective of the present project will be to investigate the participation of LC glial cells in the neural control of breathing in physiological and pathological conditions, such as during a panic attack. For this, viral vectors and microglia blocker will be used. (AU)