Central Respiratory Drive: Molecular Basis and Genetics

Central respiratory drive is of paramount importance in control of ventilation. The central drive is exquisitely sensitive tochanges in CO2/H+ concentration. New data show that the fast- acting neurotransmitter acetylcholine is essential in theCO2/H+ ventilatory response as well as in generating the central drive. Ret gene and MASH-1 are essential indevelopment of the parasympathetic system and thus in the central respiratory drive. Clinical states of hypoventilationmost likely have a genetic defect affecting the cholinergic system.This article will review briefly the site and mechanismsof action of CO2 centrally, the neurotransmitters involved in the process, the gene(s) involved in the process and clinicalstates where there are abnormalities in the system and inevitably hypoventilation results.(Tanaffos 2002;1(1):9-13 )