The respiratory control system produces the rhythm that underlies breathing. But this rhythm is not restricted to just the respiratory system. Teleologically, it is not surprising that the respiratory rhythm  is evident in the cardiovascular system because the sympatho-cardio-respiratory systems are coupled for efficient gas exchange. But the respiratory rhythm permeates non-related systems, as it is evident hippocampal, olfactory and prefrontal cortical rhythms. Further, the respiratory rhythm appears to be sensitive to other rhythms, in particular to that of the pulse pressure. Thus, our overall goal is to dissect mechanisms underlying the variability of this fundamental rhythm.

We and others postulate that the variability of these rhythms may serve as a biomarker of health and disease progression. Thus the purpose of the model is to examine an potential source of variability of cardio-respiratory rhythms.