Irene C. Solomon

Associate Professor
Department of Psychologyand Biophysics
PhD, University of California, Davis

irene.solomon@stonybrook.edu
Department of Physiology & Biophysics BST 5-176

Research

The research performed in my laboratory focuses on central neural mechanisms in respiratory control. Both in vivo and in vitro models are used to investigate the brainstem sites and synaptic interactions responsible for the generation of respiratory rhythm and pattern, centrally-mediated hypoxic respiratory excitation and central CO2 chemoreception, and inspiratory-phase synchronization. Ongoing investigations are aimed at (1) identifying intrinsic and synaptic mechanisms generating the normal eupneic pattern of breathing and its modulation to gasping in response to central hypoxia, (2) elucidating the role of gap junction coupling in synchronization of inspiratory neuronal activity and central CO2 chemoreception, and (3) identifying the synaptic mechanisms for generation of the fast oscillatory rhythms that underlie inspiratory discharges. We use a variety of techniques ranging from biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses of brainstem tissues to in vivo and in vitro physiology experiments, which involve neuropharmacological perturbations in conjunction with electrophysiological recordings. In addition, we use a broad range of signal processing and analysis techniques.

With respect to the first area of research, studies focus on the role of the pre-Bötzinger complex (which is the proposed locus of respiratory rhythm generation) in modulation of respiratory frequency and burst pattern and in central hypoxic chemosensitivity and the production of gasping. With respect to the second area of research, studies focus on the localization of gap junction proteins in respiratory-related brainstem regions, and the modulation (pharmacological and genetic manipulations) of functional gap junction coupling on respiratory rhythm and pattern, inspiratory neuronal synchronization, and the normal ventilatory response to increased levels of inspired CO2. With respect to the third area of research, studies focus on the role of inhibitory and excitatory chemically-mediated synaptic interactions in the generation and modulation of fast oscillations in inspiratory motor discharges, including the dynamic (transient) features inherent in these oscillatory rhythms. The ongoing studies are both clinically and physiologically relevant since gasping and abnormalities in CO2 chemoreception have been implicated in sudden infant death syndrome.