Abstract：
Widespread appreciation that neuroplasticity is an essential feature of the neural system controlling breathing has emerged only in recent years. In this chapter, we focus on respiratory motor plasticity, with emphasis on the phrenic motor system. First, we define related but distinct concepts: neuromodulation and neuroplasticity. We then focus on mechanisms underlying two well-studied models of phrenic motor plasticity: (1) phrenic long-term facilitation following brief exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia; and (2) phrenic motor facilitation after prolonged or recurrent bouts of diminished respiratory neural activity. Advances in our understanding of these novel and important forms of plasticity have been rapid and have already inspired translation in multiple respects: (1) development of novel therapeutic strategies to preserve/restore breathing function in humans with severe neurological disorders, such as spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and (2) the discovery that similar plasticity also occurs in nonrespiratory motor systems. Indeed, the realization that similar plasticity occurs in respiratory and nonrespiratory motor neurons inspired clinical trials to restore leg/walking and hand/arm function in people living with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury. Similar application may be possible to other clinical disorders that compromise respiratory and non-respiratory movements.
摘要：
直到最近几年，人们才广泛认识到神经可塑性是控制呼吸的神经系统的基本特征。在这一章中,我们专注于呼吸运动可塑性，重点是膈运动系统。首先,我们定义了相关但不同的概念：神经调节和神经可塑性。然后，我们将重点放在两个经过充分研究的膈运动可塑性模型的基础机制上：（1）短暂暴露于急性间歇性缺氧后的膈长期促进；（2）呼吸神经活动减少的长时间或反复发作后的膈运动促进。我们对这些新颖而重要的可塑性形式的理解进展迅速，并已经在多个方面启发了翻译：（1）开发新的治疗策略，以保持/恢复患有严重神经系统疾病的人的呼吸功能，如脊髓损伤和肌萎缩侧索硬化;和(2)发现类似的可塑性也发生在非呼吸运动系统中。的确,意识到类似的可塑性发生在呼吸和非呼吸运动神经元启发的临床试验，以恢复腿/步行和手/手臂的功能，不完全性脊髓损伤。类似的应用对于损害呼吸和非呼吸运动的其他临床病症是可能的。
