How does breathing shape perception? – From pupil dilation to active sensing

In this project we will study how the rhythmic activity of breathing shapes basic perceptual functions.

Even when there is no odor, cells in the nasal cavity detect the mechanical pressure caused by airflow and send this information to the brain.

Recent animal studies show that this information is processed in an area called the olfactory bulb (OB), which in turn, creates neural oscillations in core sensory brain regions and casually affect visual perception, multisensory integration and active sensing. Mouth breathing also drives brain functions but to a lower extent than nose breathing.

However, it is unknown if similar mechanisms are present in humans.

Over the course of three years, this international collaboration (Sweden, USA and Germany), will use the state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques and behavioral paradigms to address this question.

By including participants with OBs as well as participants from a unique population of individuals born without OBs, we will test if breathing causally shapes perception. First, we will assess how breathing (both nose and mouth) affects sensory brain regions during rest. Next, we will assess how breathing affects visual perception and multisensory integration and its neural mechanisms.

Last, we will study how breathing shapes active sensing (i.e., exploratory motor movements and sensory sampling).

If breathing modulates perceptual functions it would change our understanding of the most fundamental principles governing perception.