Conditioned hyperventilation as a factor in animal, infant, and adult apnea: a theoretical analysis of experimental and clinical data.

An apnea hypothesis is proposed termed Conditioned Hyperventilation. An organism (animal, infant, or adult) can become conditioned to anticipate traumatic terminal breathing. The resulting hyperventilation produces excessive oxygen, which triggers apnea, allowing an increase in carbon dioxide. This apnea serves as an additional unconditioned stimulus (UCS) causing the hyperventilation (apnea) to increase. Organic blockage can also serve as the UCS. Apnea may be reduced or prevented by monitoring and extinguishing hyperventilation through the use of behavioral modification techniques, or biofeedback. Infant lung collapse during the first six months is suggested as one UCS in infants.