Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Neural Control of Respiration01:18

Neural Control of Respiration

4.5K
The neural regulation of respiration is a meticulously coordinated process primarily controlled by the respiratory centers located within the brainstem. These centers, composed of specialized neurons, transmit nerve impulses that control the contraction and relaxation of our respiratory muscles.
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...
4.5K
Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration01:30

Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration

3.1K
Introduction to Inspiration: The Respiratory System in Action
The respiratory system, an essential network for breathing, comprises the conducting and respiratory zones, each playing a crucial role in the overall process of respiration. Let us explore the detailed mechanism of inspiration, or inhalation, which is the first phase of the respiratory cycle.
Pathway of Air during Inspiration
During inspiration, air enters our body through the nose or mouth and moves through the conducting zone,...
3.1K
Mechanism of Breathing II: Expiration01:23

Mechanism of Breathing II: Expiration

1.9K
The Physiology of Expiration: A Seamless Respiratory Process
Expiration, or exhaling, is a complex physiological process that begins as the inspiratory muscles begin to relax. This relaxation triggers a series of events that epitomize the efficiency of the respiratory system.
Mechanism of Expiration:
1.9K
Physiological Control of Respiration01:23

Physiological Control of Respiration

5.9K
Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
5.9K
Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers01:17

Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers

1.4K
Breathing is primarily an involuntary activity regulated by the brainstem respiratory centers. However, it can also be consciously controlled, allowing us to hold our breath or take deeper breaths when needed. This voluntary control is facilitated by the cerebral motor cortex, which bypasses the medullary centers to stimulate the respiratory muscles directly.
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical...
1.4K
Breathing01:05

Breathing

64.2K
The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
64.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Large Language Models Reveal the Neural Tracking of Linguistic Context in Attended and Unattended Multi-Talker Speech.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Large language models reveal the neural tracking of linguistic context in attended and unattended multi-talker speech.

Imaging neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.)·2026
Same author

Real-time brain-controlled selective hearing enhances speech perception in multi-talker environments.

Nature neuroscience·2026
Same author

Dynamic, minimally invasive electrical brain stimulation improves speech perception.

Hearing research·2026
Same author

A motor thalamic site in humans that suppresses involuntary breathing without awareness.

Journal of neurophysiology·2026
Same author

During natural vision, semantic novelty modulates fixation-related processing in primate cortex.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety
10:51

Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety

Published on: January 20, 2012

21.7K

Insular routing to orbitofrontal cortex enables breathing awareness.

Joshua Y Assi1, Stephan Bickel1,2,3, Harly E Greenberg4

  • 1Department of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research; Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.

Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|September 15, 2025
PubMed
Summary

The human brain detects breathing disruptions using an insular-frontal circuit. This neural pathway helps us sense and adapt to breathing challenges, offering insights into respiratory control.

More Related Videos

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity
11:34

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Published on: January 10, 2013

23.6K
Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
05:28

Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording

Published on: November 19, 2015

8.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety
10:51

Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety

Published on: January 20, 2012

21.7K
Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity
11:34

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity

Published on: January 10, 2013

23.6K
Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording
05:28

Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording

Published on: November 19, 2015

8.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Human Brain Research

Background:

  • Understanding human respiratory control is complex, involving brainstem, pulmonary, and higher cortical regions.
  • Breathing distress can stem from various causes, including brainstem dysfunction and emotional interpretation of respiratory signals.
  • Existing animal models offer limited insight into human-specific breathing distress mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the human brain detects and responds to transient disruptions in breathing.
  • To identify the neural circuits involved in conscious awareness and compensation for breathing challenges.
  • To explore the role of higher brain regions in interpreting respiratory signals.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded intracranial cortical activity in neurosurgical patients.
  • Utilized an interoceptive task involving transient breathing challenges.
  • Analyzed neural responses in the anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, and premotor cortex.

Main Results:

  • Conscious detection of breathing disruptions was predicted by early responses in the anterior insula.
  • The anterior insula routed signals to orbitofrontal and premotor cortices for appraisal and compensation.
  • Cortical regions showed signal-specific processing of inspiratory effort and airflow, mirroring brainstem function.

Conclusions:

  • A dynamic insular-frontal cortical circuit is identified for sensing and adapting to respiratory challenges.
  • This circuit is crucial for breathing awareness and may be implicated in respiratory diseases.
  • Findings reveal signal-specific processing in cortical regions involved in respiratory control.