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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Precision Induction and Distinction of Coughing and Sneezing Reflexes in Mice

Precision Induction and Distinction of Coughing and Sneezing Reflexes in Mice

Published on: October 3, 2025

Volitional control of reflex cough.

Karen W Hegland¹, Donald C Bolser, Paul W Davenport

¹Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. kwheeler@ufl.edu

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)

|April 12, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Conscious adults can voluntarily modify their reflex cough, not just suppress it. This study shows individuals can alter cough intensity and duration, demonstrating volitional control over cough motor output.

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Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice

Published on: August 2, 2024

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Respiratory Physiology

Background:

The cerebral cortex is implicated in reflex cough generation in humans.
Voluntary suppression of reflex cough is known, but modulation beyond suppression is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if conscious humans can volitionally modify their reflexive cough.
To identify which cough waveform and muscle activity parameters can be modulated.

Main Methods:

Twenty healthy adults participated.
Capsaicin (200 μM) was used to induce cough reflex.
Cough airflow and expiratory muscle EMG activity were recorded during baseline, modified (smaller, longer), and non-cough tasks.

Main Results:

All participants successfully modified their cough in response to capsaicin.
Modifications primarily affected peak airflow during the expiratory phase.
Volitional modulation of cough motor output characteristics was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

Healthy awake humans possess the ability to volitionally modulate their reflexive cough beyond simple suppression.
Specific parameters of the cough motor output, particularly expiratory airflow, can be consciously altered.