Fig. 9

CNO-hM3D mediated perturbation of noradrenergic DBH-Cre neurons results in enhanced room air ventilation and a reduced hypercapnic response. A Representative breathing traces from a DBH-Cre; RR2P animal before and after CNO administration under room air conditions (21%O₂/79%N₂). B Representative breathing traces from a DBH-Cre; RR2P animal before and after CNO administration under hypercapnic conditions (5%CO₂/21%O₂/74%N₂). C–G Quantification of respiratory and metabolic parameters under room air and hypercapnic conditions in DBH-Cre; RR2P animals (n = 16) and sibling controls (n = 14). Measured values include respiratory frequency (C), tidal volume (D), ventilation (E), oxygen consumption (F), and ventilation normalized to oxygen consumption (G). After CNO administration, DBH-Cre; RR2P animals showed increased respiratory frequency, volume, ventilation, and oxygen consumption under room air conditions. Under hypercapnic conditions, DBH-Cre; RR2P animals showed increased oxygen consumption resulting in a reduced ventilation to oxygen consumption value. I DBH-Cre; RR2P animals showed a significant deficit in temperature 30 min after the end of the assay. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001