The
brainstem
nucleus
tractus
solitarii
(nTS)
is
the
first
site
of
integration
viscerosensory
information
provided
by
afferents
vagus
nerves.
nTS
critically
contributes
to
cardiorespiratory
function
and
displays
remarkable
neuroplasticity
in
response
changes
afferent
input.
Vagal
form
synapses
with
neurons
that
are
closely
associated
astrocytes,
forming
tripartite
synapse.
We
hypothesized
reducing
vagal
input
via
chronic
unilateral
vagotomy
would
alter
synapse
nTS,
resulting
activity.
In
results
Aim
1,
we
showed
induced
astrocyte
reactivity
microglial
activation
nTS.
This
corresponded
a
reduction
augmented
breaths
(sighs)
during
hypoxia.
2,
further
investigated
effects
stimulating
recording
sympathetic
responses.
Blunted
responses
stimulation
lead
us
hypothesize
reactive
astrocytes
at
may
be
contributing
this
through
increased
glutamate
uptake.
Instead
found
evidence
reduced
excitability
vagotomized
decreased
postsynaptic
NMDA
receptor
function,
leading
blunted
neuronal
upon
stimulation.
Together
these
demonstrate
multiple
occur
following
vagotomy,
contribute
reflex
affect
health
disease.
Cardiovascular Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Aug. 24, 2024
Abstract
The
importance
of
the
brain–heart
interaction
has
been
increasingly
recognized
as
a
critical
physiological
axis
that
is
altered
in
disease.
In
this
review,
we
explore
intricate
relationship
between
central
nervous
system
and
cardiovascular
health,
focusing
particularly
on
immunological
mechanisms
influence
course
both
neurological
diseases.
While
previous
studies
have
established
key
role
autonomic
(ANS)
linking
brain
heart,
more
recent
expanded
our
understanding
multifaceted
inter-organ
interactions.
As
such,
circulating
mediators
include
immune
cells
adaptive
innate
their
secreted
immunogenic
factors
come
into
focus
along
bidirectional
communication.
Hence,
review
briefly
discuss
contribution
ANS
then
heart-to-brain
brain-to-heart
axes,
illustrating
how
diseases
affect
cognitive
functions
pathologies
lead
to
cardiac
complications.
BJA Open,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
11, P. 100305 - 100305
Published: Sept. 1, 2024
In
recent
years,
there
has
been
a
growing
interest
in
the
use
of
neuromodulation
as
an
alternative
treatment
option
for
chronic
pain.
Neuromodulation
techniques,
such
spinal
cord
stimulation
(SCS),
dorsal
root
ganglion
(DRG)
stimulation,
deep
brain
(DBS),
and
peripheral
nerve
have
shown
promising
results
management
various
pain
conditions
involve
targeted
modulation
neural
activity
to
alleviate
restore
functional
capacity.
The
autonomic
nervous
system
(ANS)
plays
crucial
role
regulation
bodily
functions
including
perception.
However,
effects
on
ANS
context
remain
poorly
understood.
This
systematic
review
aimed
comprehensively
assess
existing
literature
about
settings.
Bioelectronic Medicine,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
10(1)
Published: Sept. 13, 2024
Abstract
The
identification
of
acute
cardioprotective
strategies
against
myocardial
ischemia/reperfusion
(I/R)
injury
that
can
be
applied
in
the
catheterization
room
is
currently
an
unmet
clinical
need
and
several
interventions
evaluated
past
at
pre-clinical
level
have
failed
translation.
Autonomic
imbalance,
sustained
by
abnormal
afferent
signalling,
a
key
component
I/R
injury.
Accordingly,
there
strong
rationale
for
neuromodulation
strategies,
aimed
reducing
sympathetic
activity
and/or
increasing
vagal
tone,
this
setting.
In
review
we
focus
on
cervical
nerve
stimulation
(cVNS)
transcutaneous
auricular
vagus
(taVNS);
latest
has
potential
to
overcome
issues
invasive
cVNS,
including
possibility
being
used
setting,
while
retaining
its
beneficial
effects.
First,
discuss
pathophysiology
injury,
mostly
consequence
overproduction
reactive
oxygen
species.
Second,
describe
functional
anatomy
parasympathetic
branch
autonomic
nervous
system
most
relevant
principles
bioelectronic
medicine
electrical
modulation,
with
particular
taVNS.
Then,
provide
detailed
comprehensive
summary
studies
non-invasive
VNS
support
effect
whenever
or
chronic
cardiac
specifically
setting
benefit
emerging
field
post
arrest
syndrome
(PCAS)
also
mentioned.
Indeed,
cVNS
anti-adrenergic,
anti-inflammatory,
antioxidants,
anti-apoptotic
pro-angiogenic
effect;
involved
molecular
pathways
were
already
directly
confirmed
take
place
Pre-clinical
data
clearly
show
sooner
applied,
better
outcome,
marked
infarct
size
reduction
almost
complete
left
ventricular
reverse
remodelling
when
immediately
before
during
reperfusion.
Finally,
detail
limited
but
very
promising
experience
taVNS
available
so
far.
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: Feb. 24, 2025
The
autonomic
regulation
of
heart
rate
(HR)
reactivity
to
acute
hypoxia
remains
unclear.
Parasympathetic
cardioneuroablation
(PCNA)
may
serve
as
a
novel
model
for
the
analysis
physiological
consequences
reduced
vagal
influence
over
sinus
node
in
humans.
We
studied
11
adult
patients
scheduled
PCNA
treatment
vasovagal
syncope.
HR
was
before
and
after
with
brief
nitrogen
gas
administrations.
Each
test
followed
by
an
atropine
challenge
evaluate
contribution
parasympathetic
tone
resting
HR.
Additionally,
we
assessed
changes
cardiac
baroreflex
sensitivity
variability
following
procedure.
led
partial
denervation
at
rest
(67.0
±
20.1%).
This
translated
into
significant
change
(0.58
0.21
vs.
0.22
0.13
beats
min−
1%SpO2
−
1,
p
=
0.0001)
which
proportional
degree
(R
0.76,
0.01).
There
no
peak
on
implying
unchanged
sympathetic
input
node.
suggests
that
is
significantly
influenced
system.
despite
incomplete
resulted
profoundly
depressed
sensitivity.
clinical
meaning
latter
should
be
explored
further
studies.
Experimental Physiology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 7, 2025
Abstract
Maximal
oxygen
uptake/consumption
is
an
important
variable
determining
exercise
performance.
It
generally
considered
to
be
limited
largely,
but
not
exclusively,
by
maximal
cardiac
output
(CO),
which
limits
the
ability
of
heart
pump
oxygen‐rich
arterial
blood
working
muscles.
Cardiac
a
product
rate
and
stroke
volume,
amount
ejected
from
one
beat.
Exercise
training,
especially
endurance
type,
can
increase
CO
substantially.
A
straightforward
way
for
would
rate,
this
does
happen;
instead,
tends
reduced
after
training.
This
because
most
determinant
myocardial
consumption,
ventricular
filling
flow
(MBF)
compromised
further
increases
in
given
that
MBF
blunted
contractions
occurs
principally
during
diastole.
Myocardial
extraction
already
high
at
rest
increased
endurance‐trained
athletes,
making
their
hearts
even
more
dependent
on
MBF.
The
trained
therefore
also
shows
MBF,
enhanced
mean
transit
time
higher
vascular
resistance
submaximal
exercise,
although
reserve
improved.
follows
logically
performance,
it
proposed
review
afferent
sensory
nerves
might
contribute
controlling
limiting
hence
CO,
order
protect
ischaemia.
JCI Insight,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
9(14)
Published: June 17, 2024
Parasympathetic
dysfunction
after
chronic
myocardial
infarction
(MI)
is
known
to
predispose
ventricular
tachyarrhythmias
(VT/VF).
VT/VF
MI
more
common
in
males
than
females.
The
mechanisms
underlying
the
decreased
vagal
tone
and
associated
sex
difference
occurrence
of
remain
elusive.
In
this
study,
using
optogenetic
approaches,
we
found
that
responses
glutamatergic
afferent
neurons
were
impaired
following
male
mice,
leading
reduced
reflex
efferent
parasympathetic
function.
Molecular
analyses
ganglia
demonstrated
glutamate
levels,
accompanied
by
mitochondrial
function
redox
status
infarcted
vs.
sham
animals.
Interestingly,
females
sensory
impairment,
with
greater
levels
oxidative
stress
compared
males.
Treatment
17β-estradiol
mitigated
pathological
remodeling
improved
neurotransmission
mice.
These
data
suggest
a
decrease
results
from
signaling
may
be
due
homeostasis
ganglia,
which
subsequently
leads
sex-dependent
manner.
Importantly,
estrogen
prevents
improves
MI.
The Journal of Physiology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Dec. 25, 2024
Abstract
Loss
of
cardiac
physiological
function
following
myocardial
infarction
(MI)
is
accompanied
by
neural
adaptations
in
the
baroreflex
that
are
compensatory
short
term,
but
then
become
associated
with
long‐term
disease
progression.
One
marker
these
decreased
sensitivity,
a
strong
predictor
post‐MI
mortality.
The
relative
contributions
remodelling
and
adaptation
sensory,
central
brainstem
peripheral
ganglionic
loci
to
sensitivity
changes
remain
underexplored.
We
used
computational
model‐based
approach
accounts
for
short‐term
dynamics
closed‐loop
human
control
integrate
disparate
experimental
studies
on
MI
into
unified
quantitative
framework.
developed
an
ensemble
59
distinct
model
parameterizations
account
clinically
observed
heterogeneity
healthy
individuals.
simulated
silico
cohort
35,400
patients
MI,
corresponding
six
scenarios
one
or
more
coupled
remodelling.
evaluated
range
MI‐induced
shifts
arterial
pressure,
heart
rate
curve
responses.
Our
results
show
any
single
locus
sufficient
haemodynamic
autonomic
experimentally.
Of
pathways,
we
found
individuals
vagal
efferent
preserved
baroreceptor
gain
could
maintain
high
after
ischaemic
injury.
These
suggest
there
multitude
adaptive
pathways
tuning
circuit
shift
physiology,
potentially
explaining
patient
post‐MI.
image
Key
points
Baroreflex
indicator
post‐myocardial
ischaemia
survival
variable
among
fine‐tuned
based
observations
develop
consistent
responses
Simulation
analysis
functional
afferent
pathway
ability
adapt
along
can
post‐cardiac
ischaemia.
Cardiac
arrhythmia
leads
to
increased
risks
for
stroke,
heart
failure,
and
cardiac
arrest.
Arrhythmic
pathology
is
rooted
in
the
conduction
system,
but
mechanism
complex
not
fully
understood.
For
example,
how
metabolic
diseases,
like
obesity
diabetes,
increase
risk
arrhythmia.
Glucagon
regulates
glucose
production,
mobilizes
lipids
from
fat
body,
affects
rate
rhythm,
attributes
of
a
likely
key
player.
Drosophila
an
established
model
study
diseases
arrhythmias.
Since
glucagon
signaling
highly
conserved,
we
used
high-fat
diet
(HFD)-fed
flies
its
effect
on
function.
HFD
led
heartbeat
irregular
rhythm.
The
HFD-fed
showed
levels
adipokinetic
hormone
(Akh),
functional
equivalent
human
glucagon.
Both
genetic
reduction
Akh
eliminating
producing
cells
(APC)
rescued
HFD-induced
arrhythmia,
whereas
rhythm
was
normal
receptor
mutants
(
AkhR
null
).
Furthermore,
discovered
pair
neurons
that
express
high
receptor.
These
are
located
near
posterior
heart,
make
synaptic
connections
at
muscle,
regulate
Altogether,
this
pathway
provides
new
understanding
regulatory
mechanisms
between
disease