Mechanisms underlying respiratory motor plasticity

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Context: The respiratory control system is not just reflexive - it is smart, it learns and in fact it has a working memory. The respiratory system listens to and carefully remembers how previous stimuli affect breathing. Respiratory memory is laid down by adjusting synaptic strength between respiratory neurons. Repeated respiratory stimuli (e.g. apnea) induce a form of memory that strengthens the ability of respiratory motoneurons to trigger contraction of breathing muscles. This type of respiratory motor plasticity is called long-term facilitation (LTF) and it may serve to deepen breathing and improve effective lung ventilation.