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The periaqueductal grey (PAG) is a nucleus within the midbrain, and evidence from animal models has identified its role in many homeostatic systems including respiration. Animal models have also demonstrated a columnar structure that subdivides the PAG into four columns on each side, and these subdivisions have different functions with regard to respiration. In this study we used ultra-high field functional MRI (7áT) to image the brainstem and superior cortical areas at high resolution (1ámm³ávoxels), aiming to identify activation within the columns of the PAG associated with respiratory control. Our results showed deactivation in the lateral and dorsomedial columns of the PAG corresponding with short (~á10ás) breath holds, along with cortical activations consistent with previous respiratory imaging studies. These results demonstrate the involvement of the lateral and dorsomedial PAG in the network of …