Selective Inhibition of Pre-Botzinger Neurons Projecting to the Facial Nucleus Decreases Nasofacial Activity Without Affecting Breathing

Abstract

The pre‐Bötzinger Complex (preBötC) is a major generator of respiratory rhythm and is crucial for respiratory modulation of orofacial behaviours. The nasolabialis profundus (NLP) is a facial muscle located in the rostral part of the rat snout that causes vibrissae protraction. NLP motoneurons receive direct input from the preBötC, but the identity of the responsible preBötC neurons is not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to identify this preBötC neurons sub‐group based on their axonal projections and physiological function. To achieve this, we developed a cre‐recombinase (Cre) dependent adeno‐associated virus (AAV) that expressed the light‐a..