Researchers from American universities have identified specific neurons in the respiratory tract that drive sneezing and coughing responses in mice. The discovery appears in a peer‑reviewed science journal and adds to the growing understanding of how sensory nerves control airway reflexes.
The investigators describe a molecule named BAM 8-22 that reliably triggers sneezing in mice, providing a tool to study how these reflexes are initiated at the nerve level.
Earlier work showed that BAM 8-22 activates a particular ion channel on sensory neurons. To test their predictions, the team removed airway neurons from mice infected with influenza. Even in the presence of illness, these mice no longer sneezed, suggesting that this neuron subset is essential for the sneeze reflex during respiratory infection.
Using a similar strategy, the researchers mapped the neurons responsible for coughing. They identified nerve hubs within the trachea that express a distinctive chemical marker. When those neurons were eliminated, the cough response disappeared, indicating a direct link between this neuronal population and cough generation.
Looking ahead, the scientists aim to map the downstream processes that follow the activation of sneeze and cough neurons. They also plan to investigate whether analogous neuron types exist in humans and how they might be targeted to alleviate respiratory symptoms without compromising protective reflexes.
Ultimately, this line of research could inform the development of new therapies that more effectively manage sneezing and coughing in people who experience these symptoms due to infections or other airway conditions. By dissecting the nerve pathways that trigger these reflexes, researchers hope to identify approaches that reduce discomfort while preserving the body’s natural defenses.
Observations from related studies support the idea that targeted modulation of airway sensory neurons could offer relief for patients suffering from chronic respiratory symptoms. Ongoing work continues to refine the map of the neural circuits involved and to evaluate how these findings translate to human physiology and clinical practice.