title: Microcircuits in respiratory rhythm generation: commonalities with other rhythm generating networks and evolutionary perspectives.
abstract: Rhythmicity is critical for the generation of rhythmic behaviors and higher brain functions. This review discusses common mechanisms of rhythm generation, including the role of synaptic inhibition and excitation, with a focus on the mammalian respiratory network. This network generates three phases of breathing and is highly integrated with brain regions associated with numerous non-ventilatory behaviors. We hypothesize that during evolution multiple rhythmogenic microcircuits were recruited to accommodate the generation of each breathing phase. While these microcircuits relied primarily on excitatory mechanisms, synaptic inhibition became increasingly important to coordinate the different microcircuits and to integrate breathing into a rich behavioral repertoire that links breathing to sensory processing, arousal, and emotions as well as learning and memory.
authors: Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98101, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. Electronic address: nino1@uw.edu.
authors: Jan-Marino
authors: JM
authors: Ramirez
authors: Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, USA.
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Dashevskiy
authors: Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, USA.
authors: Ibis Agosto
authors: IA
authors: Marlin
authors: Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, USA.
authors: Nathan
authors: N
authors: Baertsch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010507:Periodicity; D012119:Respiration