RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A novel reticular oscillator in the brainstem synchronizes neonatal crying with breathing
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.02.26.433060
DO 10.1101/2021.02.26.433060
A1 Xin Paul Wei
A1 Matthew Collie
A1 Bowen Dempsey
A1 Gilles Fortin
A1 Kevin Yackle
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/02/26/2021.02.26.433060.abstract
AB Human speech can be divided into short, rhythmically-timed elements, similar to syllables within words. Even our cries and laughs, as well as the vocalizations of other species, are periodic. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the tempo of mammalian vocalizations remain unknown. Here we describe rhythmically-timed neonatal mouse vocalizations that occur within single breaths, and identify a brainstem node that structures these cries, which we name the intermediate reticular oscillator (iRO). We show that the iRO acts autonomously and sends direct inputs to key muscles in order to coordinate neonatal vocalizations with breathing, as well as paces and patterns these cries. These results reveal that a novel mammalian brainstem oscillator embedded within the conserved breathing circuitry plays a central role in the production of neonatal vocalizations.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.