Final answer:
Infection of the CNS can cause hypoventilation or hyperventilation. CNS-controlled breathing regulation can be impaired by various factors including CNS infections, certain drugs, and medical conditions like stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) can cause hypoventilation or hyperventilation.
The central nervous system is critical in controlling breathing functions. Certain conditions affecting the CNS, such as infections like meningitis, pharmacologic agents including morphine, or conditions like stroke and congestive heart failure, can impair the CNS's ability to regulate breathing. For instance, in central sleep apnea, the respiratory centers in the brain fail to respond correctly to the carbon dioxide levels in the blood, affecting the rhythmic breathing cycle. Hypoventilation occurs when there is insufficient breathing, leading to hypercapnia, or elevated blood CO2 levels. Conversely, hyperventilation results in abnormally low CO2 levels and an increased pH (alkalinity) in the blood