"Brain-breath" interactions: respiration-timing-dependent impact on functional brain networks and beyond

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Respiratory Physiology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Breathing is essential and fluctuates with situational demands.
• Breathing oscillations and timing impact higher brain functions like perception, motor control, and cognition.
• The phase transition from exhalation to inhalation specifically modulates cortical activity and cognitive task accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of respiration in attentional and memory processes.
• To investigate the functional neural networks influenced by breathing.
• To understand the brain-breath interactions via electrophysiology and functional neuroimaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies measuring brain activity (electrophysiology, functional neuroimaging) in relation to breathing.
• Analysis of respiration-dependent modulation of cognitive functions and mental health.
• Examination of neural networks and specific brainstem regions involved in respiratory control and their effects.

Main Results:

• Respiration influences cognitive functions, including attention and memory.
• Specific brainstem networks (e.g., PreBötzinger complex, locus coeruleus) and cortical regions (e.g., temporoparietal junction) are modulated by breathing.
• Breathing impacts large-scale brain networks like the default-mode network and attention networks.

Conclusions:

• Breathing significantly modulates brain function, impacting cognition and mental health.
• Understanding brain-breath interactions provides insights into interoceptive and cognitive mechanisms.
• Breathing manipulation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health care.