Donald R. McCrimmon

Donald R. McCrimmon
Professor, Associate Chairman PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
dm@northwestern.edu	Ward 5-311	(312) 503-1220

Our research is directed toward the elucidation of central nervous system mechanisms responsible for the generation and modulation of rhythmic breathing efforts. In vivo and in vitro studies employ electrophysiological, neuroanatomical and molecular approaches to determine the neural circuitry and synaptic mechanisms underlying the control of this centrally generated motor behavior. Experiments are underway to identify: a) cellular properties and synaptic drives underlying the control of spinal respiratory motoneuron activity, b) cellular and network mechanisms giving rise to time-dependent (plastic) changes in respiratory motor output, and c) the neural pathways generating respiratory rhythm and controlling specific respiratory reflexes.

Our central goal is to understand the neural basis for respiratory rhythm generation and the factors that convert this rhythm into a detailed motor pattern that differs amongst the various respiratory motor outputs.

Figure: Morphology and membrane potential patterns of in vivo filled respiratory neurons in the ventrolateral medulla. Expiratory (top electrophysiological trace) and inspiratory (bottom trace) neurons are divided into subgroups based on discharge pattern and axonal trajectories. Physiological activation of lung stretch receptors paucisynaptically activates distinct groups of expiratory neurons, thereby prolonging their period of discharge and the duration of expiration. from the cover of The Journal of Neuroscience, October 1996.

Selected Publications:

Gray, P.A., W.A. Janczewski, N. Mellen, D.R. McCrimmon and J.L. Feldman. (2001) Normal breathing requires preBotzinger complex neurokinin-1 receptor expressing neurons. Nature Neuroscience 4: 927-930.

McCrimmon, D.R., A. Monnier, K. Ptak, G. Zummo, Z. Zhang and G.F. Alheid. (2001) Respiratory rhythm generation: preBotzinger neuron discharge patterns and persistent sodium current. In: "Frontiers in Modeling and Control of Breathing: Integration at Molecular, Cellular, and Systems Levels," edited by C.-S. Poon and H. Kazemi, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, pp. 147-152.

Tonkovic-Capin, V., A.G. Stucke, E.A. Stuth, M. Tonkovic-Capin, M. Krolo, F.A. Hopp, D.R. McCrimmon & E.J. Zuperku. (2001) Differential modulation of respiratory neuronal discharge patterns by GABAA receptor and apamin-sensitive K+ antagonism. J. Neurophysiol. 86: 2363-2373.

McCrimmon, D.R., A. Monnier, K. Ptak, G. Zummo, Z. Zhang and G.F. Alheid. (2001) Respiratory rhythm generation: preBštzinger neuron discharge patterns and persistent sodium current. In: "Frontiers in Modeling and Control of Breathing: Integration at Molecular, Cellular, and Systems Levels" ed. by C.-S. Poon and H. Kazemi, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, In Press.

Krolo M, Stuth EA, Tonkovic-Capin M, Hopp FA, McCrimmon DR, Zuperku EJ. (2000) Relative magnitude of tonic and phasic synaptic excitation of medullary inspiratory neurons in dogs.Am. J. Physiol.279:R639-649.

McCrimmon DR, Monnier A, Hayashi F, Zuperku EJ. (2000) Pattern formation and rhythm generation in the ventral respiratory group.Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 27:126-131.

McCrimmon DR, Ramirez JM, Alford S, Zuperku EJ. (2000) Unraveling the mechanism for respiratory rhythm generation. Bioessays 22:6-9.

Krolo M, Stuth EA, Tonkovic-Capin M, Dogas Z, Hopp FA, McCrimmon DR, Zuperku EJ. (1999) Differential roles of ionotropic glutamate receptors in canine medullary inspiratory neurons of the ventral respiratory group. J. Neurophysiol. 82:60-68.

Dogas Z, Krolo M, Stuth EA, Tonkovic-Capin M, Hopp FA, McCrimmon DR, Zuperku EJ. (1998) Differential effects of GABAA receptor antagonists in the control of respiratory neuronal discharge patterns. J. Neurophysiol. 80:2368-2377.

McCrimmon, D,R,, Zuperku, E.J., Hayashi, F., Dogas, Z., Hinrichsen, C.F., Stuth, E.A., Tonkovic-Capin, M., Krolo, M. and Hopp, F.A. (1997) Modulation of the synaptic drive to respiratory premotor and motor neurons. Respir. Physiol. 110: 161-176.

Hayashi, F., Coles, S.K. and McCrimmon, D.R. (1996) Respiratory neurons mediating the Breuer-Hering reflex prolongation of expiration in rat. J. Neurosci. 16: 6526-6536.

Hayashi, F. and McCrimmon, D.R. (1996) Respiratory motor responses to cranial nerve afferent stimulation in rats. Am. J. Physiol. 271: R1054-R1062.

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