Learning in respiratory control

In this article, it is argued that learning participates to fulfill the met abolic requirements by adapting respiratory control to changing internal an d external states. Recent classical-conditioning experiments in newborn mic e or adult rats show the close link between conditioned respiratory and aro usal responses. The conditioned fear model may be a suitable and largely un explored model of emotionally induced hyperventilation. The parabrachial nu cleus and periacqueducal grey may play a pivotal role in the ventilatory co mponent of conditioned fear. The sensitivity of breathing to conditioning i n newborn and adult animals suggests that learning processes may shape brea thing pattern throughout life.