Computational Modeling of Integration of Voluntarybehavioral and Automatic Mechanisms Forbreathing Control

Abstract

The integration of voluntary/behavioral controls with central pattern generators providing low-level control of movement is an important issue of broad relevance to basic neurophysiology, and neuroprosthetic technology. For automatic movements like breathing and locomotion, there is strong evidence that the CNS is organized for their control in a hierarchical fashion. The central pattern generator (CPG) is located in the brainstem (respiration) or spinal cord (locomotion) and generates the motor program for the neuromuscular apparatus. This low-level controller interacts with afferent feedback from the peripheral receptors and in turn is controlled by descending signals from the higher-level controllers (Figure 1A). The CPG defines automatic (involuntary) movements, which may be executed without conscious awareness. At the same time, these movements are subject to voluntary/behavioral regulation (i.e., they are integrated and regulated with the overall movement/system state). Therefore, understanding of complex mechanisms used by the brain for motor control demands investigation of interactions between the automatic and voluntary/behavioral components of this control.