Breathing control of vocalization

• 成果类型: Editorial Material
• 署名作者: Hage, Steffen R.
• 署名单位: Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen; Eberhard Karls University Hospital; Eberhard Karls University of Tubingen
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-12256
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ado2114
• 发表日期: 2024-03-08
• 页码: 1059-1060
• 关键词: evolution; SPEECH

摘要

Vocalizations play a pivotal role in communication across species. Although the complexity of articulation varies, the basic process of sound production for the tonal component in mammals involves narrowing of the larynx (vocal cord adduction)-located between the trachea and pharynx-and exhalation. There is an intricate interplay between phonation and respiration to ensure that breathing is not affected. As a result, vocal utterances are properly aligned and embedded within respiratory cycles, usually during expiration; otherwise, a lack of coordination could result in vocal cord dysfunction or breathing problems ( 1 , 2 ). The mechanisms of vocal generation and respiratory pattern generation in the hindbrain are well studied ( 3 , 4 ). However, the interplay between these two behaviors and the underlying neural circuits that coordinate them remain unclear. On page 1074 of this issue, Park et al. ( 5 ) investigated the underlying neural substrate involved in vocal pattern generation and breathing in mice, revealing a laryngeal premotor circuit that is critical for respiratory-vocal coupling.