Neural correlates coding stimulus level and perception of capsaicin-evoked urge-to-cough in humans

► Noxious stimulation of human airways activates a distributed brain network. ► We characterize this network using fMRI and inhalation of a respiratory stimulus. ► Some brain regions respond to stimulus intensity and others to ratings of intensity. ► The data suggest that distinct subnetworks comprise the distributed network. ► This provides insights into the human brain representation of respiratory sensations.