Brain, Breathing and the Heart

Abstract

The generation of rhythmic activity is fundamental to the brain. Rhythmicity is critical for cognition, learning and memory, the generation
of sleep and wakefulness, and the generation of rhythmic motor behaviors. Breathing is a highly integrated rhythmic behavior that plays
multiple roles through its interactions with the heart and various states of the brain and by controlling ventilation. Various experimental
approaches led to identifying and manipulating rhythmogenic networks and neurons in the medulla that are critical for the generation
of breathing. These rhythmogenic networks can reconfigure to generate different activity patterns that give rise to eupnea, sighs, and
gasping. They contain excitatory and inhibitory neurons that are critical for rhythmogenesis, establishing the phase relationship and
frequency of respiratory activity. Rhythmogenic networks in the brainstem interact with multiple brain areas and the heart to establish
the true complexity of the breathing behavior that is essential for life.