Respiratory Central Pattern Generator: Microcircuit Generation of the Rhythms and Patterns of Breathing

Breathing is a vital rhythmic motor behavior that mediates gas exchange to support metabolism and regulate pH. All mammals must breathe continuously and reliably from birth and modulate their breathing throughout life in response to changes in metabolic demand and environmental stimuli. A number of congenital and neurodegenerative disorders affect the neural control of breathing in humans and lead to serious adverse health consequences, even death. Since the previous edition of this book, there have been considerable advances in our understanding of the breathing central pattern generator (CPG). This chapter focuses on the neural microcircuit within the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC); a second oscillator near the facial nucleus that appears to generate active expiration; and the microcircuit for sighing.