Neuroanatomical Substrates of Cardiovascular and Emotional — Autonomic Regulation

Using modern tract-tracing methods, investigators have mapped the central connections of these visceral sensory and autonomic nuclei and delineated the network of cell groups illustrated in Fig. 1.

Abstract

During the past decade a specific group of brain nuclei has come to be seen as important in the central neuronal regulation of the circulation. These highly interconnected nuclei have gained prominence principally because of their relationship to the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and autonomic preganglionic neuronal populations in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMN), nucleus ambiguus (NA) and spinal cord. Using modern tract-tracing methods, investigators have mapped the central connections of these visceral sensory and autonomic nuclei and delineated the network of cell groups illustrated in Fig. 1. In addition, immunochemical techniques have provided biochemical information indicating an abundance of peptides and other neurotransmitters within these cell groups. As a consequence of these findings, a picture of the cellular basis for central cardiovascular regulation is emerging.