Inactivity-induced respiratory plasticity: Protecting the drive to breathe in disorders that reduce respiratory neural activity

Highlights • We review mechanisms giving rise to plasticity following reduced respiratory neural activity (e.g., inactivity-induced phrenic motor facilitation, iPMF). • We show that inactivity-induced plasticity is expressed in inspiratory intercostals following a central neural apnea. • We survey conditions in which reduced respiratory neural activity may be experienced during life. • We discuss the implications of inactivity-induced respiratory plasticity in the control of breathing.