Abstract
Afferent nerves in the airways serve to regulate breathing pattern, cough, and airway autonomic neural tone. Pharmacologic agents that influence afferent nerve activity can be subclassified into compounds that modulate activity by indirect means (eg bronchial smooth muscle spasmogens) and those that act directly on the nerves. Directly acting agents affect afferent nerve activity by interacting with various ion channels and receptors within the membrane of the afferent terminals. Whether by direct or indirect means, most compounds that enter the airspace will modify afferent nerve activity, and through this action alter airway physiology.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 234-244 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Respiratory research |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Keywords
- Autonomic
- Pulmonary
- Respiratory
- Sensory
- Vagus nerve
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine