Hippocampal ensemble dynamics and memory performance are modulated by respiration during encoding

During offline brain states, such as sleep and memory consolidation, respiration coordinates hippocampal activity. However, the role of breathing during online memory traces remains unclear. Here, we show that respiration can be recruited during online memory encoding. Optogenetic manipulation was used to control activation of the primary inspiratory rhythm generator PreBötzinger complex (PreBötC) in transgenic mice. When intermittent PreBötC-induced apnea covered the object exploration time during encoding, novel object detection was impaired. Moreover, the mice did not exhibit freezing behavior during presentation of fear-conditioned stimuli (CS + ) when PreBötC-induced apnea occurred at the exact time of encoding. This apnea did not evoke changes in CA3 cell ensembles between presentations of CS + and conditioned inhibition (CS − ), whereas in normal breathing, CS + presentations produced dynamic changes. Our findings demonstrate that components of central respiratory activity (e.g., frequency) during online encoding strongly contribute to shaping hippocampal ensemble dynamics and memory performance. Breathing might be crucial for cognition during both offline and online brain states. Here, the authors show that temporal apnea induced by activating the PreBötzinger complex during memory formation resulted in memory impairments.