MODULATION OF BREATHING DOES NOT INVOLVE THE ACTIVITY OF DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS IN SUBSTANTIA NIGRA PARS COMPACTA

The compact portion of the substantia nigra (SNpc) is a region of the midbrain formed, for the most part, by dopaminergic neurons that project to the dorsal striatum, playing an essential role in the control of motor activity. Despite this, recent studies have demonstrated, through the injection of dopaminergic agonists, a possible role of dopaminergic neurons in the modulation of respiratory activity. In recent years, studies have shown that the model of Parkinson`s disease (PD) induced by 6-hydroxydopamine present, in addition to the reduction of dopaminergic neurons of the SNpc, the degeneration of medullary regions responsible for respiratory control, together with the reduction of respiratory parameters in basal condition. However, it is unclear whether the respiratory changes observed in this experimental model could also be directly related to dopamine deficiency.