BREATHE Research understanding & treating neuromuscular disorders that compromise respiratory and non-respiratory function

Fundamental principles through clinical translation concerning mechanisms of swallowing disorders and cough, and changes in neuromuscular disease or injury.

Fundamental principles in the neural control of breathing and respiratory muscles are explored. Major areas of strength include: respiratory motor plasticity, opioid induced respiratory depression and muscle wasting with neuromuscular injury/disease, aging, heart failure, sepsis and cancer.

Major strengths include respiratory function in neuromuscular disorders (Spinal Cord Injury, Pompe Disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and ALS), neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease), and other clinical disorders (cancer cachexia, heart failure, sleep apnea).

UF is developing strength in medical approaches to treat clinical disorders with electrical stimulation of relevant neural structures.

UF is a center of research for this novel approach to therapeutics, including therapeutic intermittent hypoxia and hyperbaric oxygenation.

The UF BREATHE Center is devoted to developing new therapeutics to restore breathing and airway defense, walking, and health in those living with spinal cord injuries. A particular focus is to harness spinal cord plasticity through intermittent hypoxia or spinal cord electrical stimulation to restore function.