Overview of Respiratory Control (i) (PK8)

Question 1

2 extremes of respiratory control

Answer 1

• Locked in syndrome
• Ondine’s curse

Question 2

What is locked in syndrome?

Answer 2

• Patient with brainstem stroke
• Unable to move voluntarily (except eyes)
• Regular breathing pattern –> driven by metabolic system
  > Controlled by feedback regulation (PaCO2)

Question 3

What is Ondine’s curse?

Answer 3

• Patient with medullary tumour (or congenital)
• Unable to sleep without mechanical ventilation
• Irregular breathing pattern when awake –> driven by behavioural system
  > Controlled by feedforward regulation (eg. speech, cough, exercise, etc.)