Journal article
Human forebrain neural synchronization and entrainment to breathing during wakefulness, sleep, and external mechanical ventilation
Nature communications
05/28/2026
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-73828-0
PMID: 42209532
Abstract
The ability of the forebrain to track and integrate respiratory signals, a process known as breathing interoception, is critical for detecting respiratory threats and ensuring survival, yet its neural mechanisms remain largely unknown. Using human intracranial recordings, we identified widespread synchronization between forebrain neural oscillations and breathing rhythms across wakefulness, sleep, and external mechanical ventilation. During wakefulness, localized sites within known interoceptive regions such as insula, somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala robustly synchronized with breathing, highlighting their critical roles in breathing interoception. During sleep, forebrain synchronization with breathing decreased, while persisting in the amygdala and hippocampus, which may support vigilance and memory consolidation. In contrast to rodents, nasal airflow was not required for this synchronization, implicating multiple afferent pathways in respiratory interoception and possible unique evolutionary changes in humans. When breathing was driven by an external mechanical ventilator, the imposed breathing rhythm directly entrained forebrain activity, indicating a causal link. Notably, ventilator-driven slow, deep breathing entrained more forebrain sites, suggesting a potential mechanism through which breath-based practices might influence emotion and cognition. Together, these findings redefine breathing interoception as a pervasive influence within the forebrain, with implications for understanding disorders of respiratory awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Human forebrain neural synchronization and entrainment to breathing during wakefulness, sleep, and external mechanical ventilation
- Creators
- Md Rakibul Mowla - University of IowaAriane E Rhone - University of IowaSukhbinder Kumar - University of Iowa, NeurosurgeryChristopher K Kovach - University of Iowa, NeurosurgeryJunjie V Liu - University of Iowa, NeurologyAubrey C Chan - University of IowaHiroto Kawasaki - University of IowaRashmi N Mueller - University of IowaJustin D Kuhn - University of IowaRyan T Frede - University of IowaMichael A Ciliberto - University of IowaTheresa M Czech - University of IowaSreenath Thati Ganganna - University of Iowa, Neurology (Pediatrics)James W Owens - University of Iowa, Neurology (Pediatrics)Ania K Dabrowski - University of Iowa, Neurology (Pediatrics)Brittany N Sprigg - University of IowaMark A Granner - University of IowaKristina Simonyan - Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryKirill V Nourski - University of IowaBryan M Krause - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMatthew I Banks - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMatthew A Howard III - University of Iowa, Iowa Neuroscience InstitutePaul W Davenport - University of FloridaKyle T S Pattinson - University of OxfordGeorge B Richerson - University of IowaJohn A Wemmie - University of IowaBrian J Dlouhy - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nature communications
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41467-026-73828-0
- PMID
- 42209532
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- eISSN
- 2041-1723
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Grant note
- R01MH113325 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01 NS113764 / NINDS NIH HHS R01DA052953 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) P50DC01990 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) K08 NS112573-01 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/28/2026
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Clinical Research Unit; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Anesthesia; Neurology (Pediatrics); Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985166833902771
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