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Clinical Autonomic Research : Official... Feb 2024The heart receives cervical and thoracic sympathetic contributions. Although the stellate ganglion is considered the main contributor to cardiac sympathetic innervation,... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The heart receives cervical and thoracic sympathetic contributions. Although the stellate ganglion is considered the main contributor to cardiac sympathetic innervation, the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) is used in many experimental studies. The clinical relevance of the SCG to cardiac innervation is controversial. We investigated current morphological and functional evidence as well as controversies on the contribution of the SCG to cardiac innervation.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and COCHRANE Library. Included studies received a full/text review and quality appraisal.
RESULTS
Seventy-six eligible studies performed between 1976 and 2023 were identified. In all species studied, morphological evidence of direct or indirect SCG contribution to cardiac innervation was found, but its contribution was limited. Morphologically, SCG sidedness may be relevant. There is indirect functional evidence that the SCG contributes to cardiac innervation as shown by its involvement in sympathetic overdrive reactions in cardiac disease states. A direct functional contribution was not found. Functional data on SCG sidedness was largely unavailable. Information about sex differences and pre- and postnatal differences was lacking.
CONCLUSION
Current literature mainly supports an indirect involvement of the SCG in cardiac innervation, via other structures and plexuses or via sympathetic overdrive in response to cardiac diseases. Morphological evidence of a direct involvement was found, but its contribution seems limited. The relevance of SCG sidedness, sex, and developmental stage in health and disease remains unclear and warrants further exploration.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Superior Cervical Ganglion; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Autonomic Nervous System; Heart; Stellate Ganglion
PubMed: 38393672
DOI: 10.1007/s10286-024-01019-2 -
Current Pain and Headache Reports Jul 2016Neuromodulation is a promising, novel approach for the treatment of primary headache disorders. Neuromodulation offers a new dimension in the treatment that is both... (Review)
Review
Neuromodulation is a promising, novel approach for the treatment of primary headache disorders. Neuromodulation offers a new dimension in the treatment that is both easily reversible and tends to be very well tolerated. The autonomic nervous system is a logical target given the neurobiology of common primary headache disorders, such as migraine and the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). This article will review new encouraging results of studies from the most recent literature on neuromodulation as acute and preventive treatment in primary headache disorders, and cover some possible underlying mechanisms. We will especially focus on vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) since they have targeted autonomic pathways that are cranial and can modulate relevant pathophysiological mechanisms. The initial data suggests these approaches will find an important role in headache disorder management going forward.
Topics: Electric Stimulation Therapy; Ganglia, Parasympathetic; Headache; Humans; Vagus Nerve Stimulation
PubMed: 27278441
DOI: 10.1007/s11916-016-0577-5 -
ENeuro 2022The Emx1-IRES-Cre transgenic mouse is commonly used to direct genetic recombination in forebrain excitatory neurons. However, the original study reported that Emx1-Cre...
The Emx1-IRES-Cre transgenic mouse is commonly used to direct genetic recombination in forebrain excitatory neurons. However, the original study reported that Emx1-Cre is also expressed embryonically in peripheral autonomic ganglia, which could potentially affect the interpretation of targeted circuitry contributing to systemic phenotypes. Here, we report that Emx1-Cre is expressed in the afferent vagus nerve system involved in autonomic cardiorespiratory regulatory pathways. Our imaging studies revealed expression of Emx1-Cre driven tdtomato fluorescence in the afferent vagus nerve innervating the dorsal medulla of brainstem, cell bodies in the nodose ganglion, and their potential target structures at the carotid bifurcation such as the carotid sinus and the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Photostimulation of the afferent terminals in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) using Emx1-Cre driven ChR2 reliably evoked EPSCs in the postsynaptic neurons with electrophysiological characteristics consistent with the vagus afferent nerves. In addition, optogenetic stimulation targeting the Emx1-Cre expressing structures identified in this study, such as vagus nerve, carotid bifurcation, and the dorsal medulla surface transiently depressed cardiorespiratory rate in urethane anesthetized mice Together, our study demonstrates that Emx1-IRES-Cre is expressed in the key peripheral autonomic nerve system and can modulate cardiorespiratory function independently of forebrain expression. These results raise caution when interpreting systemic phenotypes of Emx1-IRES-Cre conditional recombinant mice, and also suggest the utility of this line to investigate modulators of the afferent vagal system.
Topics: Animals; Ganglia, Autonomic; Integrases; Mice; Nodose Ganglion; Solitary Nucleus; Urethane; Vagus Nerve
PubMed: 36192157
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0093-22.2022 -
Cephalalgia : An International Journal... Jul 2013
Topics: Cluster Headache; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Ganglia, Autonomic; Humans; Pterygopalatine Fossa
PubMed: 23575817
DOI: 10.1177/0333102413482195 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Aug 1987Regulation of the number and size of neurons presumably plays a role in the matching of a group of neurons to their target. In this paper the relationship of the cardiac...
Regulation of the number and size of neurons presumably plays a role in the matching of a group of neurons to their target. In this paper the relationship of the cardiac ganglion neurons of the frog to their target is examined. Neurons in this ganglion first appear in the embryo and continue to accumulate for several months, even after the animal has completed metamorphosis, and eventually reach a fixed number of cells in the adult. This prolonged period of neuron production has provided an opportunity to manipulate development and test various mechanisms of neuronal regulation. Manipulation of animal culture conditions and hormone levels has shown that the addition of neurons to the ganglion continues up to the characteristic adult number and depends upon neither the chronological age nor the developmental stage of the animal. The size of neurons also changes markedly during development. The average cell body size initially decreases due to the addition of many smaller cells to the ganglion. After metamorphosis neuron size increases dramatically. The changes in size and number complement one another such that the total volume of neuronal cell bodies increases in proportion with the size of both the target and the entire body. The relationship holds for changes in animal size that extend over 4 orders of magnitude and follows a power function of the form y = bxm. Regulation of cardiac ganglion size can be divided into 3 overlapping phases: (1) the arrival of neurons and precursors from the neural crest, (2) an increase in neuron number, (3) and an increase in neuron size. A common denominator for all phases is that the size of the ganglion is, in a coherent way, precisely matched to the size of its target.
Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Cell Count; Ganglia, Parasympathetic; Heart; Larva; Neurons; Xenopus laevis
PubMed: 3612250
DOI: No ID Found -
JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology Sep 2017
Topics: Bradycardia; Catheter Ablation; Ganglia, Autonomic; Humans
PubMed: 29759720
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2017.02.010 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jan 1997The Y2 subtype of neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) receptors (Y2R) and some neuropeptides have been studied with in situ hybridization in sensory and autonomic neurons of rat...
The Y2 subtype of neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) receptors (Y2R) and some neuropeptides have been studied with in situ hybridization in sensory and autonomic neurons of rat and monkey. Between 10% and 20% of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron profiles (NPs) contain Y2R mRNA in the rat and monkey. In rat DRGs Y2R mRNA is expressed in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive, medium-sized, and large neurons, that is in a complementary fashion to the Y1R that is located in small CGRP neurons. In monkey DRGs Y2R mRNA is expressed mainly in small neurons. Peripheral axotomy up-regulates the Y2R in small and large DRG neurons in both species. Y2R and NPY mRNAs are colocalized in many large neurons in axotomized rat DRGs. Y2R mRNA is expressed in 50% of the NPs in the nodose ganglion with a modest increase after axotomy. Y2R mRNA is detected in a few NPs in normal rat superior cervical ganglia, with a marked increase after transection of the carotid nerves. No Y2R mRNA-positive, but many (approximately 30%) weakly Y1R mRNA-positive NPs were found in the sphenopalatine ganglion. Finally, Y2R mRNA levels increase in rat spinal motoneurons after axotomy. Thus, under normal circumstances NPY may act on Y1 and Y2Rs expressed, respectively, in small and large CGRP-positive DRG neurons in the rat. Y2R may be an important receptor in the viscero-sensory neurons. Y2Rs may be particularly important after axotomy serving as presynaptic and/or autoreceptors on rat DRG, superior cervical ganglion, and nodose ganglion neurons and as presynaptic receptors in monkey DRG neurons.
Topics: Animals; Ganglia, Autonomic; Ganglia, Sensory; Ganglia, Spinal; Gene Expression; In Situ Hybridization; Macaca mulatta; Male; Neuropeptide Y; RNA, Messenger; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y; Superior Cervical Ganglion
PubMed: 9012853
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.2.729 -
Journal of Neurophysiology Feb 2023Postganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system lie outside of the central nervous system and innervate specific target effectors such as organs or glands. The...
Postganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system lie outside of the central nervous system and innervate specific target effectors such as organs or glands. The major pelvic ganglion (MPG) is one such ganglion that plays a significant role in controlling bladder function in rodents. However, because of technical and physical constraints in recording electrophysiological signals from these neurons in vivo, the functional neural activity in MPG is mostly unknown. Transgenic animal models expressing genetically encoded calcium indicators now provide opportunities to monitor the activity of populations of neurons in vivo to overcome these challenges related to traditional electrophysiological methods. However, like many peripheral neurons, the MPG is not conducive to conventional fluorescent microscopy techniques, as it is located in the pelvic cavity, thus limiting robust optical access by benchtop microscopes. Here, we present an endoscopic approach based on a custom miniscope system (UCLA V3) that allows for effective in vivo monitoring of neural activity in the MPG for the first time. We show that our imaging approach can monitor activity of hundreds of MPG neurons simultaneously during the filling and emptying of the bladder in a urethane-anesthetized transgenic mouse line expressing GCaMP6s in cholinergic MPG neurons. By using custom analysis scripts, we isolated the activity of hundreds of individual neurons and show that populations of neurons have distinct phasic activation patterns during sequential bladder filling and voiding events. Our imaging approach can be adapted to record activity from autonomic neurons across different organs and systems in both healthy and disease models. The functional activity and information processing within autonomic ganglia is mostly unknown because of technical and physical constraints in recording electrophysiological signals from these neurons in vivo. Here, we use a micro-endoscopic approach to measure in vivo functional activity patterns from a population of autonomic neurons controlling bladder function for the first time. This approach can be adapted to record activity from autonomic neurons across different organs and systems in both healthy and disease models.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Urodynamics; Ganglia, Autonomic; Neurons; Urinary Bladder; Autonomic Nervous System
PubMed: 36651910
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00450.2022 -
Journal of the American College of... Sep 2016Patients with long duration of atrial fibrillation (AF), enlarged atria, or failed catheter ablation have advanced AF and may require more extensive treatment than... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Patients with long duration of atrial fibrillation (AF), enlarged atria, or failed catheter ablation have advanced AF and may require more extensive treatment than pulmonary vein isolation.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of additional ganglion plexus (GP) ablation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic AF surgery.
METHODS
Patients with paroxysmal AF underwent pulmonary vein isolation. Patients with persistent AF also received additional lines (Dallas lesion set). Patients were randomized 1:1 to additional epicardial ablation of the 4 major GPs and Marshall's ligament (GP group) or no extra ablation (control) and followed every 3 months for 1 year. After a 3-month blanking period, all antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued.
RESULTS
Two hundred forty patients with a mean AF duration of 5.7 ± 5.1 years (59% persistent) were included. Mean procedure times were 185 ± 54 min and 168 ± 54 min (p = 0.015) in the GP (n = 117) and control groups (n = 123), respectively. GP ablation abated 100% of evoked vagal responses; these responses remained in 87% of control subjects. Major bleeding occurred in 9 patients (all in the GP group; p < 0.001); 8 patients were managed thoracoscopically, and 1 underwent sternotomy. Sinus node dysfunction occurred in 12 patients in the GP group and 4 control subjects (p = 0.038), and 6 pacemakers were implanted (all in the GP group; p = 0.013). After 1 year, 4 patients had died (all in the GP group, not procedure related; p = 0.055), and 9 were lost to follow-up. Freedom from AF recurrence in the GP and control groups was not statistically different whether patients had paroxysmal or persistent AF. At 1 year, 82% of patients were not taking antiarrhythmic drugs.
CONCLUSIONS
GP ablation during thoracoscopic surgery for advanced AF has no detectable effect on AF recurrence but causes more major adverse events, major bleeding, sinus node dysfunction, and pacemaker implantation. (Atrial Fibrillation Ablation and Autonomic Modulation via Thoracoscopic Surgery [AFACT]; NCT01091389).
Topics: Ablation Techniques; Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Female; Ganglia, Autonomic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Thoracoscopy
PubMed: 27609676
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.06.036 -
Journal of Neurophysiology Jan 2003Androgens have potent effects on the maturation and maintenance of a number of neural pathways involved in reproductive behaviors in males. Most studies in this area...
Androgens have potent effects on the maturation and maintenance of a number of neural pathways involved in reproductive behaviors in males. Most studies in this area have focused on central pathways, but androgen receptors are expressed by many peripheral neurons innervating reproductive organs, and previous studies have demonstrated structural and chemical changes in these neurons at puberty and after castration. We have performed the first electrophysiological comparison of pelvic autonomic ganglion neurons in male rats before and after puberty and following pre- or postpubertal castration. Studies were performed in vitro on intact ganglia with hypogastric and pelvic nerves attached to allow synaptic activation of sympathetic or parasympathetic neurons, respectively. Pelvic ganglion neurons underwent many changes in their passive and active membrane properties over the pubertal period, and some of these changes were dependent on exposure to circulating androgens. The most pronounced steroid-dependent effects were on membrane capacitance (soma size) in sympathetic neurons and duration of the action potential afterhyperpolarization in tonic neurons. Our study also showed that rat pelvic ganglion cells and their synaptic inputs were more diverse than previously reported. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that rat pelvic ganglion neurons undergo considerable postnatal changes in their electrophysiological properties. The steroid dependence of some of these changes indicates that circulating androgens may influence reproductive behaviors at many locations within the nervous system not just in the brain and spinal cord.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Animals, Outbred Strains; Electric Capacitance; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials; Ganglia, Autonomic; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Hypogastric Plexus; Male; Membrane Potentials; Orchiectomy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Synapses; Testosterone
PubMed: 12522182
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00479.2002