Susan M. Barman, Professor
1971, B.S., Biology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
1976, Ph. D., Physiology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
1975-77, Research Associate, Pharmacology, Michigan State University
1977-79, Instructor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University
1979-84, Assistant Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University
1984-94, Associate Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University
1995-present, Professor, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University
It has long been recognized that neural mechanisms controlling the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are tightly linked. This interaction facilitates the complementary functions of the two systems: respiration maintains appropriate levels of arterial blood gases, while the cardiovascular system transports these gases to and from tissues. Although some investigators have proposed that there is a common network controlling respiratory (phrenic nerve) and cardiovascular (sympathetic nerve) functions, others have suggested that cardiorespiratory synchronization reflects both the direct coupling of two distinct central networks and shared input from peripheral afferents. The major objectives of the neurophysiological and neuropharmacological research in my laboratory are:
1) to determine which regions of the brain affect
cardiorespiratory synchronization,
2) to determine the role of various brain regions on the reflex control
of phrenic and sympathetic nerve activities
3) to determine the role of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid receptor-mediated
neurotransmission within the medullary reticular formation on phrenic
and sympathetic rhythmic activities.
Current Projects
Role of excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmission within the medullary lateral tegmental field in control of central respiratory rate and cardiorespiratory synchronization
Selected Achievements since 2003
Editorial Board:
American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative
Physiology
American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology
American Physiological
Society (APS):
Chair (elected position), Section Advisory Committee, 2003 -2005
Councillor (elected position), 2005-2008
Awards:
NIH/Natl Heart, Lung and Blood Institute MERIT Award, 1995-2005
One of 5 scientists profiled in the APS “Education Office Careers
in Physiology” brochure, 2003
MSU Outstanding University Woman Faculty Award 2003
Selected Publications Since 2003
Barman SM, Liedtke CM: Growing participation of women in physiology: 1987-2002. The Physiologist 46(1): 1, 3-5, 2003.
Das M, Gebber GL, Barman SM, Lewis CD: Fractal properties of sympathetic nerve discharge. J. Neurophysiol. 89(2): 833-840, 2003.
Orer HS, Das M, Barman SM, Gebber GL: Fractal activity generated independently by medullary sympathetic premotor and preganglionic sympathetic neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 90: 47-54, 2003.
Gebber GL, Barman SM: From the top down: An alternative to reductionist views on the central neural control of cardiovascular function. Recent Res. Develop. Physiol. 1: 367-384, 2004.
Orer HS, Gebber GL, Phillips SW, Barman SM: Role of the medullary lateral tegmental field in reflex-mediated sympathoexcitation in cats. Amer. J. Physiol. 286: R452-R464, 2004.
Fadel PJ, Orer HS, Barman SM, Vongpatanasin W., Victor RG, Gebber GL: Fractal properties of human muscle sympathetic nerve activity. Amer. J Physiol. 286; H1076-H1087, 2004.
Gebber GL, Das M, Barman SM: An unusual form of phase walk in a system of coupled oscillators. J. Biol. Rhythms 19: 542-550, 2004.
Fadel PJ, Barman SM, Phillips SW, Gebber GL: Fractal fluctuations in human respiration. J. Appl. Physiol. 97: 2056-2064, 2004.
Gebber GL, Barman SM: What’s all the noise about? Distinguishing fractal from random processes in the sympathetic nervous system. Recent Res. Develop. Physiol. 2: 167-186, 2004.
Barman SM, Orer HS, Gebber GL: The role of the medullary lateral tegmental field in the control of sympathetic nerve discharge. Recent Res. Develop. Physiol. 2: 187-207, 2004.
Phillips SW, Gebber GL, and Barman SM. Medullary lateral tegmental field: Control of respiratory rate and vagal lung inflation afferent influences on sympathetic nerve discharge. Am J Physiol 288: R1396-R1410, 2005.
Gebber GL, Das M, and Barman SM.: Dynamic changes in baroreceptor-sympathetic coupling during the respiratory cycle. Brain Res 1046: 216-223, 2005.
Barman SM, Orer HS, Gebber GL: Role of medullary excitatory amino acid receptors in mediating the 10-Hz rhythm in sympathetic nerve discharge of cats. Brain Res 1049: 249-253, 2005.
Barman SM, Phillips SW, and Gebber GL. Medullary lateral tegmental field mediates the cardiovascular but not respiratory component of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex in the cat. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 289: R1693-R1702, 2005.
Gebber GL, Orer HS, and Barman SM. Fractal noises and motions in time series of presympathetic and sympathetic neural activities. J Neurophysiol 95: 1176-1184, 2006.
Orer HS, Gebber GL, and Barman SM. Medullary lateral tegmental field neurons influence the timing and pattern of phrenic nerve activity in cats. J Appl Physiol 101: 521-530, 2006.
Barman SM and Kenney MJ. Methods of analysis and physiological relevance of rhythms in sympathetic nerve discharge. Clin Exptl Physiol Pharmacol In press, 2006.
Gebber, GL, SM Barman, and Fadel PJ. Fractal fluctuations in breath number, period, and amplitude are independently controlled in awake, healthy humans. Proc 28th IEEE EMBS Conference SaB07.2: 4615-4617, 2006.