Research Mentor(s)
Kameron Decker Harris
Description
The Pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC), a neuronal network located in the medulla, is a central pattern generator that facilitates breathing rhythm. Opioid-based drugs have the ability to cause significant decreases in the frequency of the rhythm, thereby shutting down the network and causing opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). To explore the neural dynamics of this phenomenon, we used a computational model of OIRD to perform several in-silico experiments that manipulate the network topology and simulate potential drug treatments to protect the respiratory rhythm against OIRD. We found that (1) resistance to opioids is variable across randomly generated networks based on connectivity, (2) the recruitment of quiescent neurons is extremely important for maintaining the rhythm, and (3) the perturbation of persistent sodium current conductance and leak current conductance are both provide effective protection against OIRD.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Computer Science
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Computational modeling of opioid-induced respiratory depression
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
The Pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC), a neuronal network located in the medulla, is a central pattern generator that facilitates breathing rhythm. Opioid-based drugs have the ability to cause significant decreases in the frequency of the rhythm, thereby shutting down the network and causing opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). To explore the neural dynamics of this phenomenon, we used a computational model of OIRD to perform several in-silico experiments that manipulate the network topology and simulate potential drug treatments to protect the respiratory rhythm against OIRD. We found that (1) resistance to opioids is variable across randomly generated networks based on connectivity, (2) the recruitment of quiescent neurons is extremely important for maintaining the rhythm, and (3) the perturbation of persistent sodium current conductance and leak current conductance are both provide effective protection against OIRD.