The integrated brain network that controls respiration

Abstract

Respiration is a brain function on which our lives essentially depend. Control of respiration ensures that the frequency and depth of breathing adapt continuously to metabolic needs. In addition, the respiratory control network of the brain has to organize muscular synergies that integrate ventilation with posture and body movement. Finally, respiration is coupled to cardiovascular function and emotion. Here, we argue that the brain can handle this all by integrating a brainstem central pattern generator circuit in a larger network that also comprises the cerebellum. Although currently not generally recognized as a respiratory control center, the cerebellum is well known for its coordinating and modulating role in motor behavior, as well as for its role in the autonomic nervous system. In this review, we discuss the role of brain regions involved in the control of respiration, and their anatomical and functional interactions. We discuss how sensory feedback can result in adaptation of respiration, and how these mechanisms can be compromised by various neurological and psychological disorders. Finally, we demonstrate how the respiratory pattern generators are part of a larger and integrated network of respiratory brain regions.

The contribution of periaqueductal gray in the regulation of physiological and pathological behaviors

“…LPAG and VLPAG receive projections from respiratory regulatory centers, such as medulla Bötzinger complex, pre-Bötzinger complex, Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KFn), LC, dorsal and caudal raphe, lateral and medial parabrachial nucleus, and paratrigeminal nucleus. Furthermore, LPAG and VLPAG project to the forebrain, including the lateral thalamic nucleus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and CeA, and the hindbrain, including the pre-Bötzinger complex, KFn, lateral facial nucleus, posterior oblique nucleus, LC, and dorsal and caudal raphe ( Oliveira et al, 2021 ; Trevizan-Baú et al, 2021a , b ; Krohn et al, 2023 ).…”

Die Suche nach dem „Knoten des Lebens“ – die Atemregulation

“…Bleibt der Kompensationsmechanismus aus und die Hypoxie bestehen, werden protektive neuromodulatorische Schutzmechanismen in Gang gesetzt, die das Netzwerk inaktivieren. Mittlerweile ist klar, dass neuromodulatorische Prozesse ganz entscheidend an der korrekten Funktion der Rhythmogenese des Atemzentrums beteiligt sind [32,33].…”

Different Purkinje cell pathologies cause specific patterns of progressive ataxia in mice

“…Clinical characteristics, severity and disease course vary between patients, and depend among others on the nature of the pathological mutation and the possible involvement of extracerebellar damage (van de Warrenburg et al, 2002; Klockgether et al, 2019; Diallo et al, 2020; Manto et al, 2020; Shah et al, 2021). Gait ataxia as a consequence of cerebellar degeneration is hardly ever an isolated feature, but occurs often together with problems with speech (Kent et al, 1979; Mariën et al, 2014), swallowing (Vogel et al, 2015; Sasegbon et al, 2020; Sasegbon and Hamdy, 2023) and breathing (Ebert et al, 1995; Sriranjini et al, 2010; Krohn et al, 2023), as well as with non-motor symptoms (Schmahmann, 1998; Hoche et al, 2018; Schmahmann et al, 2019; Malek et al, 2022). Effective treatments for most cerebellar disorders are currently lacking, although possible strategies are under intense investigation, with varying degrees of success (Buijsen et al, 2019; Mitoma et al, 2021; Bhartiya et al, 2022; Srinivasan et al, 2022; Synofzik et al, 2022).…”