Fig. 1.

The pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) in the transverse medullary brain stem slice generates a population rhythm activity similar to and implicated with respiratory patterns found in vivo. A: cartoon schematic of the transverse brain stem slice containing the preBötC. This preparation also contains other neuronal regions related and unrelated to respiration. Anatomical landmarks include the nucleus ambiguus (NA), the hypoglossal nucleus (XII), fiber bundles of the hypoglossal nerve (CNXII), and the inferior olive (IO). Placing an extracellular recording electrode (RE) over the ventral respiratory column allows for the recording of the population rhythm from the preBötC. B: representative trace of the integrated (∫) and raw (preBötC) population activity originating from the preBötC. Inset: expanded timescale identifying the fictive sigh, postsigh apnea, and fictive normal inspiratory bursts (i.e., fictive eupnea).