Physiological and anatomical hallmarks associated with intermittent hypoxia and aging - insights into respiratory dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer's disease

Physiological and anatomical hallmarks associated with intermittent hypoxia and aging — insights into respiratory dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer’s disease seeks to examine how intrinsic, synaptic and modulatory properties control motoneuron activity during the relatively “simple” behavior of breathing. Building on her doctoral and postdoctoral training, the laboratory leverages expertise in motoneuron physiology to address clinically relevant questions about how aging and episodes of intermittent hypoxia alter neural control of respiration and contribute to respiratory dysfunctions observed in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The project situates itself at the intersection of aging biology, intermittent hypoxia exposure, and neural control of breathing. By focusing on motoneuron properties and the neural circuits that drive respiratory muscles, the work aims to identify physiological and anatomical markers that correlate with altered respiratory function in aged individuals and in those experiencing repeated hypoxic episodes. The laboratory’s research approach emphasizes the cellular and synaptic mechanisms that determine motoneuron excitability and output, and how these mechanisms are modified by age-related processes and intermittent oxygen deprivation. These mechanistic insights are intended to shed light on pathways by which respiratory control becomes vulnerable in the context of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially revealing targets for monitoring or intervention.

The Revill Laboratory brings together a multidisciplinary team including research assistants, student researchers from osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and physical therapy, as well as research fellows. The lab’s collaborative structure supports training and translation of findings across disciplines; students and fellows contribute to experimental studies probing motoneuron physiology while gaining experience in respiratory neuroscience. The team roster reflects sustained engagement and mentorship, with alumni who contributed to the lab’s research trajectory. The laboratory communicates findings through presentations and posters at professional meetings, reinforcing its commitment to scientific dissemination and to building a network of investigators focused on respiratory control and disease.

This research program, grounded in detailed study of motoneuron behavior during breathing, aims to map the physiological and anatomical hallmarks that arise with intermittent hypoxia and aging. By characterizing how motoneuron intrinsic properties, synaptic inputs, and modulatory influences change, the project seeks to connect these neural alterations to the respiratory dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Outcomes from this work are expected to enhance understanding of disease-associated respiratory vulnerability, inform development of biomarkers of respiratory decline, and guide future studies that test therapeutic strategies to preserve or restore respiratory function in aging and neurodegenerative disease contexts.