New theory of breathing control: a complex model integrates multi‐systems

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONAlthough many prior studies have addressed the mechanism of breathing control, this topic remains a challenging and complex research area. Most prior studies have utilized average measurements over a period of time, however Band et al reported the ΔpH(PCO2)/Δt was a breathing control factor.New TheoryLung breath generated oscillations of arterial O2, CO2 and H+ signals via carotid body and aorta arch (“fast”) and medullary chemo‐receptors (“slow”,~20s) are integrated in the respiratory control center to stimulate the next (another) breath. The peripheral chemo‐receptors (carotid body and aorta arch) are sensitive to oscillation information [ΔPO2(SO2)/Δt, ΔPCO2/Δt, Δ[H]/Δt] without time delay, central chemo‐receptors are sensitive to the mean (averaged) level of the signals with ~20s delay due to the oscillation information blunted by the tissue diffusing step. The effect of central sensors control the “GAIN” of oscillation information from the sensors at carotid body and aorta arch and/or central integrative system. The respiratory integrative center in the central nervous system integrates the input from these fast and slow sensors, and combines that information from the two sensors to generate the next breath.CONCLUSIONSLung breath generated O2, CO2 and [H+] oscillations generates the next breath via two fast sensors (carotid and aorta) and central medullary censor control the “gain” of breath with longer time delay in collaboration with an integrative respiratory center.