Apnea behavior in early- and late-stage mouse models of Parkinson's disease: Cineradiographic analysis of spontaneous breathing, acute stress, and swallowing

• Published in: Respiratory physiology & neurobiology Vol. 323; p. 104239
• Main Authors: Kawamura, Lorena Roberta de Souza Mendes, Sarmet, Max, de Campos, Priscila Sales, Takehara, Sachiko, Kumei, Yasuhiro, Zeredo, Jorge Luis Lopes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Animal model; Apnea; Diaphragm; Mice; Parkinson disease; Swallowing; Parkinson disease; Animal model; Mice; Apnea; Diaphragm; Swallowing
• ISSN: 1569-9048; 1878-1519
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2024.104239

This study aimed to evaluate the timing and frequency of spontaneous apneas during breathing and swallowing by using cineradiography on mouse models of early/initial or late/advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). C57BL/6 J mice received either 6-OHDA or vehicle injections into their right striatum, followed by respiratory movement recordings during spontaneous breathing and swallowing, and a stress challenge, two weeks later. Experimental group animals showed a significantly lower respiratory rate (158.66 ± 32.88 breaths/minute in late PD, 173.16 ± 25.19 in early PD versus 185.27 ± 25.36 in controls; p<0.001) and a significantly higher frequency of apneas (median 1 apnea/minute in both groups versus 0 in controls; p<0.001). Other changes included reduced food intake and the absence of swallow apneas in experimental mice. 6-OHDA-induced nigrostriatal degeneration in mice disrupted respiratory control, swallowing, stress responsiveness, and feeding behaviors, potentially hindering airway protection and elevating the risk of aspiration. •6-OHDA injection into the striatum of mice impaired respiratory and swallowing function.•Nigrostriatal degeneration weakened airway protection, increasing the risk of aspiration.•The behavioral impairments in the mice modeled different stages of PD in humans.