Central organization of afferent renal nerve pathways

Although afferent renal nerves have been studied for over a quarter of a century, their physiological role remains unclear. There is considerable experimental evidence indicating that afferent renal nerves convey sensory information from renal receptors to integrative circuits in the central nervous system which gives rise to command signals controlling the function of effector organs. In addition, it has been demonstrated that these integrative neural circuits are found at several different levels of the neuraxis; the spinal cord, the medulla and the hypothalamus. In this review, recent neuroanatomical and electrophysiological data on the central pathways of afferent renal nerves is discussed with reference to their possible role in homeostasis.