[Progress in the study of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve]

Dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) is an important visceral motor and sensory nucleus which establishes widely connections with the central nervous system and peripheral viscera. The DMV together with the solitary tract nucleus and the area postrema form the so-called vagal sensory and motor center. There is a nerve-CSF circuit on the neurons of the DMV. The CSF-contacting neurons of the DMV could receive chemical message directly from the blood and the CSF. The DMV contains a great variety of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, catecholamine, neuropeptide, etc. and their receptors. The DMV is involved in the central regulation of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and endocrine functions.