Evolving perspectives on cardiac innervation: from relay to a complex regulated network
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2026

Pipeline for Multi-Scale Three-Dimensional Anatomic Study of the Human Heart
Published on: June 28, 2024
Beth A Habecker1, Johanna M Montgomery2
1Departments of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Medicine - Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Anesthesiology and Peri-Operative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Abstract:
Neural control of the heart adjusts cardiac output to the functional demands of the body in order to maintain homeostasis. Sensory afferents monitor blood pressure, metabolites, and other parameters, sending information to the brainstem that then alters the balance of stimulatory sympathetic and inhibitory parasympathetic transmission to the heart. 'Autonomic imbalance' between sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent transmission in the heart is a characteristic of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases that contributes to pathology. In this review, we discuss recent studies related to the peripheral components of the cardiac control circuit. We summarize data from induced pluripotent stem cells, small and large animal models, and human studies that reveal more complexity in peripheral components of this system than previously understood. We also discuss peripheral neuroplasticity in cardiovascular disease and the potential impact of neuromodulation therapies.
Related Concept Videos
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Cardiac Action Potential
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
Conduction System of the Heart
The pacemaker cells are located in two primary nodes: the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. The SA node pacemaker cells can autonomously depolarize, triggering an action potential that leads to the...
Conduction System of the Heart
This system relies on the unique properties of nodal and Purkinje cells:...
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Neural Circuits
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...

