I am interested in how neurons work as a system to produce and coordinate behavior. Neurons must also regulate themselves in response to changes in sensory input and the environment. Using the neural network for breathing located in the brainstem and spinal cord, we hope to find general principles underlying neural control and neuronal regulation. We use a variety of approaches and preparations to investigate brainstem regions that generate and modulate respiratory rhythm and pattern. We use optical and electrical recordings to detail how neurons behave and interact to form microcircuits that produce the very stable but also very labile rhythm (see Research). We also study a form of long term plasticity in respiratory motoneurons. We have also recently become interested in breathing during sleep, especially central sleep apneas. Collectively, these studies have clinical relevance to a number of breathing disorders and may uncover more general principles of neural control and neuronal plasticity.