Research

We focus on the organization of brain circuit activity by neural oscillations with particular emphasis on respiration-driven oscillation patterns.

Rhythmic breathing not only enables oxygen supply and CO2 clearance from the body but also drives rhythmic deflections in the local field potential in various brain regions. Initially discovered in the olfactory bulb, recent findings indicate that respiration-driven oscillations are by no means restricted to the olfactory system but resemble a widespread phenomenon that can be observed in various cortical and subcortical structures. In addition to rhythmic field potential signals, the action potentials of cortical and subcortical neurons are also synchronized with respiration, suggesting that the breathing rhythm might provide a timing signal aiding information processing in brain microcircuits. We investigate the functional aspects of respiration-driven neural activities during cognitive behaviour.