Neuronal networks controlling laryngeal movements and management of its impairment

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25293350
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Kyoto Gakuen University (2015); Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: HISA Yasuo 京都学園大学, 健康医療学部, 教授 (50181087)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HIROTA Ryuichi 京都府立医科大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (70405306) ; BANDO Hideki 京都府立医科大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (50433272)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 喉頭の神経機構 / premotor neuron / 疑核・迷走神経背側核 / ステロイドホルモン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our investigation showed that the respiratory neuron groups including the ventral respiratory group and the retrotrapezoid/parafacial respiratory group in the medulla oblongata play a role in the regulation of the non-respiratory laryngeal movements such as vocalization, coughing, and swallowing. Furthermore, this study suggested that the kernel neural networks involving coughing or swallowing could be located within the medulla caudal to the retrotrapezoid/parafacial respiratory group.
We also clarified the role of steroid hormones in the functional expression of fibroblasts in the vocal folds regarding production of extracellular matrix.
In addition, the immunohistochemistry combined with injection of the retrograde tracer into the larynx demonstrated the specific features of immunopositive neurons for the sex steroid hormone receptor in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学