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Related Concept Videos

Neural Control of Respiration01:18

Neural Control of Respiration

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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...
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Physiological Control of Respiration01:23

Physiological Control of Respiration

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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...
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Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

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Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
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Breathing01:05

Breathing

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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...
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Alterations in Respiration II01:30

Alterations in Respiration II

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There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
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Respiratory Volumes01:15

Respiratory Volumes

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Respiratory volumes are crucial metrics, meticulously measured to quantify the air exchanged in and out of the lungs during various phases of the breathing cycle. These precise measurements are vital for assessing lung function, diagnosing respiratory conditions, and monitoring overall respiratory health. Each parameter provides specific insights into the mechanics of breathing and the functional capacity of the lungs.
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
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Related Experiment Video

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Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities
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Daily Paced Breathing Sessions Induce Left Orbitofrontal Volume Changes Linked to Cognitive Outcomes.

Hyun Joo Yoo1, Andy Jeesu Kim1, Martin J Dahl1,2,3

  • 1Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California.

Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|March 23, 2026
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Summary

Breathing exercises enhance brain structure and function in older adults. Increased heart rate variability during training correlated with greater left orbitofrontal cortex volume, improving cognitive skills and resilience.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Oscillatory coupling between respiration, heart rate, and cortical function is crucial for physiological regulation but poorly understood in humans.
  • Diminished respiratory heart rate variability (RespHRV) is a biomarker for reduced mental and physical health, seen in anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cortical substrates coordinating rhythmic cardiovascular-respiratory coupling.
  • To explore the relationship between breathing training, heart rate variability, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) plasticity.
  • To determine if OFC changes correlate with cognitive performance improvements.

Main Methods:

  • Adults aged 50-70 (N=55) underwent 9-week breathing training (slow and random-paced).
  • Heart rate oscillatory power during training was measured and correlated with left OFC volume changes.
  • Cognitive performance (attention, executive function, memory) and pupil responses were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Greater heart rate oscillatory power, especially in the upper low-frequency range (0.09-0.13 Hz), predicted increased left OFC volume.
  • OFC volume increases were linked to improved attentional and executive performance.
  • Improvements included reduced pupil reactivity to distractors and enhanced working and associative memory.

Conclusions:

  • The left orbitofrontal cortex is a key site of cortical plasticity associated with rhythmic cardiovascular-respiratory engagement.
  • Oscillatory body-brain coupling supports cognitive control processes like attentional filtering and memory updating.
  • Breathing practices may enhance neurovisceral integration and cognitive resilience in aging through a frequency-general pathway.