Neuron
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We tested the hypothesis that pacemaker neurons generate breathing rhythm in mammals. We monitored respiratory-related motor nerve rhythm in neonatal rodent slice preparations. ⋯ Thus, eliminating the pacemaker population (our statistics confirm that this population is reduced at least 94%, p < 0.05) does not affect respiratory rhythm. These results suggest that voltage-dependent bursting in pacemaker neurons is not essential for respiratory rhythmogenesis, which may instead be an emergent network property.