Release your inhibitions : the role of post‐inhibitory rebound and synaptic inhibition in the generation of expiratory activity

Breathing in mammals is a fundamental behaviour produced by movements generated and controlled by the central nervous system. The formation of the diaphragm in mammals has led to a unique phenomenon, inspiratory led breathing. In fact, in most mammals at rest, only inspiration is active – expiration is passive. As such research into mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generation has focussed on the inspiratory oscillator, the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC). Whilst we now understand a large number of fundamental properties underlying the behaviour of the preBötC, much less is known about its expiratory counterpart that generates active expiration under conditions of increased respiratory drive; e.g., exercise