Computational model of TASK channels and PKC-pathway dependent serotonergic modulatory effects in respiratory-related neurons.

Hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) receive serotonergic innervations from medullary raphe neurons and produce rhythmic discharge patterns closely associated with respiratory rhythm generated in the pre-Bötzinger complex (pBC). HM activity is subject to modulation by numerous factors including serotonin (5-HT), TRH, norepinephrine (NE), substance P (SP), pH, multiple protein kinases and phosphatases. In this present work, we introduce a computational HM model that facilitates the investigation of how neuromodulatory factors such as 5-HT and pH, can affect HM activities.