Controlling influences of the autonomic nervous system

Recent information about the localization of sympathetic nerves and catecholamine-containing cells suggests sites of action not usually described in the neuroscience textbooks. In this study, we focused on the autonomic controls that affect ganglia, heart, gut, and chemoreceptors. As a result of some speculation derived mainly from histochemical observations and partially from physiologic data, we concluded that at the organ level the interplay between a nerve terminal-receptor serves as a local control. Additional controls may function at the ganglion level where catecholamine-containing chromaffin cells may serve as interneurons. We suggest that all peripheral catecholamine-containing elements which function in a modulatory role are not vital to the survival of the individual but rather serve as "fine tune" adjustment that do not involve the central nervous system.