Respiratory-related evoked potential elicited by expiratory occlusion

Respiratory-related evoked potentials (RREPs) have been elicited by inspira tory loads in adults and children. The RREP was recorded over the somatosen sory region of the cerebral cortex. It was hypothesized that a RREP could b e recorded by using expiratory occlusion. Electroencephalographic activity was recorded in adults from 14 scalp locations, referenced to the linked ea rlobes. The occlusion was presented as an interruption of expiration. Epoch s of electroencephalographic activity and mouth pressure were recorded for each expiratory occlusion presentation. There were two occlusion trials and a control trial of 100 presentations each. The epochs in each trial were a veraged and examined for the presence of short-latency, occlusion-related p eaks. RREP peaks were observed bilaterally with expiratory occlusion and we re absent in control unoccluded averages. A positive peak, P-34, was observ ed at central and postcentral sites. A negative peak, N-53, was observed at frontal and central sites. A second positive peak, P-95, was observed at f rontal and central sites. These results demonstrate that expiratory occlusi on elicits a RREP. This suggests that expiratory occlusion-related sensory information activates the cerebral cortex similar to that for inspiratory l oads.