[The chemical structure of the peripheral autonomic (visceral) reflex]

The article reviews the information available at present on the chemical mediators transmitting excitation in each link of the autonomous reflex are: sensory, inserted and effector. It describes the modern views on the functional structure of these links. On the basis of microelectrode analysis, histochemistry and, in particular, of immunochemistry, detailed analysis is provided of the new concepts of the mediators of the interneuronal and autonomous neuroeffector transmission by classical transmitters, and by the peptide component including P substance, calcitonin-gene-related peptide, VIP, DIN, ANK, etc. Neuropeptide get the key role information of the functional specificity of neurons. Peptides may be secreted and stored together with various neuromediators in presynaptic structures of various links of the reflex are. Special attention is given to the para-, prevertebral and intramural ganglia, which are interpreted as the lowest centres of autonomous periphery having significant integrative abilities. The immunohistochemical studies are reliably indicating that the main ganglionic neurons, the same as the nerve fibres entering the nodes are chemically coded in relation to contents of the transmitting molecules.