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Possible optimization of respiratory controller sensitivity

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Abstract

The effect of respiratory controller gain on the speed of correction of disturbances in CO2 balance, and the energy used by the respiratory muscles during the correction period is explored using a mathematical model. As controller sensitivity is increased, CO2 balance is more rapidly restored, but there is a greater expenditure of energy in breathing. The relationship between speed of correction and energy expenditure rises to a maximum value near usual values for controller sensitivity to CO2 in normal human adults. With less efficient respiratory muscles or with higher resting levels of PCO2, maximum values for the ratio of speed to energy consumption occur at decreased levels of controller sensitivity. Increased cardiac output and functioning central and peripheral CO2 chemoreceptors improve speed of response without proportionate rises in energy use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

    Guy S. Longobardo, Neil S. Cherniack (Professor of Medicine) & Aniko Damokosh-Giordano

Authors
  1. Guy S. Longobardo
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  2. Neil S. Cherniack
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  3. Aniko Damokosh-Giordano
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Supported by a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, #HL-20847.

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Longobardo, G.S., Cherniack, N.S. & Damokosh-Giordano, A. Possible optimization of respiratory controller sensitivity. Ann Biomed Eng 8, 143–158 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364661

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