Amygdala and hippocampus are symptomatogenic zones for central apneic seizures

Abstract

These findings confirm that hippocampus and amygdala are limbic breathing control sites in humans, as well as the symptomatogenic zone for central apneic seizures.

Amygdala‐stimulation‐induced apnea is attention and nasal‐breathing dependent

“…In line with recent studies 7, 16 , we found that electrical stimulation of the human amygdala consistently induces apnea. By including data from a larger group of patients, our study solidifies the already existing evidence suggesting a role for the amygdala in respiratory control.…”

“…The prospectively identified patients who participated in the mouth breathing experiment were asked to breathe through their mouth but otherwise relax and sit quietly. Electrical stimulation was also administered to electrodes implanted in other clinically important brain structures, including the hippocampus, which did not induce apnea in any patients, in contrast to a recent study that did find hippocampal-stimulation-induced apnea 16 . Hippocampal stimulation functioned as a negative control region in our experiment.…”

“…In the human amygdala, local field potential oscillations align with inspiration during natural nasal breathing, indicating the region tracks respiratory phase 15 . Furthermore, two recent studies showed that electrical stimulation of the amygdala induces apnea (studies included 2 and 3 patients) 7, 16 . These findings combine to suggest a potential role for the amygdala in respiratory control - potentially mediated through the heavy interconnections with the extended amygdala 17, 18 which has afferent connections to brainstem nuclei critical to mediating breathing 19, 20 .…”

Conscious control of breathing: A key to prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy?

“…With the re‐emergence of stereo‐electroencephalographic recordings in the presurgical epilepsy workup, anatomically precise stimulation of amygdala and hippocampal regions is now feasible. Stimulation of amygdala and hippocampal head elicited central apneas in the expiratory phase in 3 patients,6 further supporting implications of the amygdala in the control of breathing.…”

Prevalence and characteristics of sleep-disordered breathing in familial dysautonomia

“…The amygdala and the hippocampal head are specifically involved in breathing control and the genesis of CA. 22 Because the IKBPAP gene is required for the normal development of the CNS and it is highly expressed in amygdala and hippocampus, 23 it is conceivable that abnormal development and maturation of these regions may underlie the high frequency of central apneas during the pediatric age in patients with FD. As these regions mature with age, CAs are less frequent.…”