Aims: Breathing requires a complex pattern of neuronal activity. An important part of the respiratory network is located in the medulla in the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC), which can be functionally isolated in a rhythmic slice preparation. Astrocytes in the preBötC stabilize neuronal activity by K+ buffering and neurotransmitter reuptake. Here we analyzed if neuronal activity detected by astrocytes is translated into astroglial signals. Methods: To investigate how astrocytes sense the neuronal activity in the preBötC, we performed whole-cell voltage clamp recordings from eGFP or mRFP1 labeled astrocytes in rhythmic slice preparations of the medulla. Results: Out of more than 500 astrocytes we recorded in 131 slices, a total of 54 astrocytes (12%) showed rhythmic inward currents (IInsp,A) in phase with inspiratory neuronal network activity. IInsp,A was inwardly directed and did not reverse its direction within a membrane potential range from -100 to +20 mV. Blockade of Kir channels by BaCl2 resulted in a significant decreased amplitude of IInsp,A. Additionally IInsp,A appears to involve glutamate transporter currents, since application of DHK significantly reduced the amplitude of IInsp,A. To address the question if the neuronal activity is translated into an astrocytic calcium signal we looked for calcium signals using 2-photon microscopy in whole cell recorded astrocytes filled with OG, Calcium Orange or Fluo8L. However we did not identify calcium signals in astrocytes that where in phase with the inspiratory network activity. Blockade of synaptic inhibition also failed to reveal rhythmic calcium signals. To increase ambient glutamate we blocked glutamate transporters with TBOA. This elevation of extracellular glutamate did not reveal any calcium signals in phase with respiratory burst, too. Furthermore TBOA resulted in a complete deterioration of rhythmic activity after 3 min. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that astrocytes are essential to maintain respiratory activity in the rhythmic slice, but this activity is not translated into astroglial signals.