Longer and more variable post-expiratory pauses were associated with distinct Salience Network connectivity patterns linked to heightened depression and reduced life satisfaction.
Cross-Sectional (n=46)
The post-expiratory pause is linked to specific neural connectivity patterns in the Salience Network that correlate with psychological factors like depression and life satisfaction.
Breathing not only sustains life but also interacts with emotional states. Mounting evidence suggests that subtle variations in respiratory patterns-including their neural underpinnings-may serve as sensitive indicators of affective processes, yet the specific phases of spontaneous breathing have rarely been studied in detail. Here, we present a cross-sectional, exploratory investigation combining high-temporal-resolution respiratory measures, resting-state magnetoencephalography data, and psychological assessments in 46 healthy adults. Our analysis distinguishes three distinct phases-inspiration, expiration, and the brief but functionally significant post-expiratory pause (PEP). By correlating time-averaged Salience Network connectivity with aggregate respiratory metrics, we identify trait-level associations specific to the PEP in beta and gamma frequencies. Individuals with longer and more variable PEPs show distinct connectivity patterns associated with heightened depression and reduced life satisfaction. Connectivity patterns involving the right insula, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, and left amygdala show robust correlations with these affective parameters, suggesting that this brief respiratory interval may serve as a window into interoceptive and emotional processing. Our findings highlight the overlooked role of the PEP in capturing meaningful interactions between respiration, neural circuits, and psychological well-being.
Díez et al. (Sat,) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy adults (n=46). Post-expiratory pause (PEP) and Salience Network connectivity assessment was evaluated on Correlation between time-averaged Salience Network connectivity, aggregate respiratory metrics (PEP), and psychological assessments. Longer and more variable post-expiratory pauses were associated with distinct Salience Network connectivity patterns linked to heightened depression and reduced life satisfaction.