Central and autonomic nervous system links to the APUD system (and their APUDomas)

The concept of the APUD system and the APUDomas associated with it has evolved significantly since Pearse's description in the 1960s. Part of this evolution has been an understanding of the relationships between the APUD system and the central and autonomic nervous systems. The APUD system now referred to as the diffuse neuroendocrine system, can be linked to the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system by genetics, embryology, cellular characteristics, anatomy, interaction of the systems, and the immune system. Awareness of these relationships may enable clinicians to better understand APUDomas and lead to better methods of detection of these tumours and their treatment.