Respiratory sensations may be controlling elements on ventilation but can be affected by personality traits and state changes

Abstract

The reflex control of breathing can be modified behaviorally by the cortex, which receives information on respiratory movements and is able to after ventilation by sending signals to the bulbopontine respiratory neurons and to spinal motor neurons. This behavioral control of respiration can interfere with reflex control during speaking and singing for example; but can also assist reflex control by enhancing responses to chemical stimuli and preventing apneas during wakefulness. It is also possible that behavioral control helps adjust ventilation and breathing patterns to minimize work expenditure and maximize gas exchange. Respiratory sensations are affected both by respiratory movements and by changes in chemoreceptor activity Sensations increase with ventilation, particularly with greater respiratory efforts per breath and also grow as PCO2 rises. This behavioral control which might act to modify ventilation and breathing patterns to minimize respiratory sensations could help achieve an optimum compromise between ventilation and PCO2 levels.