Topic: respiratory brainstem

Complex behaviors are constructed out of simple building blocks. The construction of complex behaviors presents an interesting problem when the behavioral building blocks are driven by independent neural dynamics, as is the case for behaviors that recruit central-pattern generators (CPGs). Breathing is a particularly interesting example since it is vital for sustaining life and yet breathing is integrated into a myriad of other behaviors like speaking, laughing, and coughing. Vocalizations co-opt respiratory machinery for communication. While the generation of vocal motor commands is generally