The psychophysiology of the sigh: I: The sigh from the physiological perspective

Liza J. Severs*, Elke Vlemincx, Jan Marino Ramirez

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Breathing is composed of multiple, distinct behaviors that are bidirectionally regulated through autonomic and voluntary mechanisms. One behavioral component is the sigh, which serves distinct physiological and psychological roles. In two accompanying reviews we will discuss these roles. The present review focuses on the physiological function, where sighs play a critical role in controlling lung compliance by preventing the collapse of alveoli. Implicated in the generation of sighs and normal breathing is the preBötzinger Complex, a rhythmogenic network in the medulla. Although sighs and normal inspiration are generated within the same network, they show distinct temporal characteristics. While sighs occur every few minutes, normal breathing is generated in the range of seconds. Both are differentiated by distinct modulatory and synaptic mechanisms, and recent evidence indicates that these mechanisms are regulated by inputs from different regions of the brain. An important modulator of sighs is hypoxia, implicating sighs in the arousal response.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108313
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalBiological Psychology
Volume170
Early online date11 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This manuscript was supported by the following United States National Institute of Health grants: R01 HL151389 , R01 HL126523 , R01 HL090554 , R01 HL144801 , F31 HL149156-03 .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.

Funding

This manuscript was supported by the following United States National Institute of Health grants: R01 HL151389 , R01 HL126523 , R01 HL090554 , R01 HL144801 , F31 HL149156-03 .

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of HealthF31 HL149156-03, R01 HL151389, R01 HL090554, R01 HL144801
National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteR01HL126523

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