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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
10:56
Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
Published on: August 2, 2017
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Temporal Relations between Cortical Network Oscillations and Breathing Frequency during REM Sleep.
Adriano B L Tort1, Maximilian Hammer2, Jiaojiao Zhang2
1Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59056-450, Brazil tort@neuro.ufrn.br andreas.draguhn@physiologie.uni-heidelberg.de.
Summary
Brain oscillations (theta and gamma) and breathing frequency are linked during REM sleep. Brain activity influences breathing, while breathing also impacts gamma oscillations, suggesting complex neural-respiratory interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Nasal breathing creates rhythmic neural signals.
- The interaction between respiration and brain activity on larger timescales is not well understood.
- Investigating the correlation and directionality between breathing and neural oscillations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if breathing frequency correlates with neuronal oscillation patterns.
- To investigate the temporal relationship and directionality between respiration and brain activity.
- To explore how breathing influences brain oscillations and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Recorded field potentials in the mouse posterior parietal cortex during REM sleep.
- Simultaneously monitored respiration.
- Utilized cross-correlograms and Granger causality analysis.
Main Results:
- Instantaneous breathing frequency strongly correlates with theta and gamma oscillation frequency and amplitude.
- Theta activity changes precede and influence breathing frequency.
- Breathing frequency influences gamma frequency, suggesting peripheral feedback.
Conclusions:
- Breathing frequency and brain oscillations (theta and gamma) are temporally related during REM sleep.
- Theta oscillations appear to influence breathing, while breathing influences gamma oscillations.
- These interactions may be mediated by a central drive in the brainstem.
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