Experimental Biology 2000 Symposium on Differential Control of Sympathetic Outflow NEUROANATOMICAL SPECIFICITY OF THE CIRCUITS CONTROLLING SYMPATHETIC OUTFLOW TO DIFFERENT TARGETS
Authors: Sved, Alan F; Cano, Georgina; Card, J Patrick
Source: Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, Volume 28, Numbers 1-2, January/February 2001 , pp. 115-119(5)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content
Abstract:
SUMMARY 1. Despite the emerging framework that central neural pathways controlling the activity of the sympathetic nervous system are capable of producing highly selective responses, the specific neural pathways governing different sympathetic outflows are poorly understood.2. Anatomical studies suggest that five brain areas, namely the rostral ventrolateral medulla, the rostral ventromedial medulla, the caudal raphe nuclei, the region containing the A5 noradrenergic neurons and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, provide dominant supraspinal innervation of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.3. The anatomical parcellation of different functions within and among these cell groups is uncertain. However, recent studies using transynaptic retrograde labelling of neural pathways connected to various sympathetic targets suggest that the circuits controlling these different targets may be partially distinct. Similarly, anatomical studies relying on stimulus-evoked expression of immediate early genes, such as c-fos, suggest that different sympathetic responses may be controlled by distinct neural circuits. 4. Thus, although many similarities exist in the anatomical circuits innervating different sympathetic targets, possibly supporting the orchestration of global sympathetic responses, differences are also discernible.Keywords: autonomic nervous system; brown adipose tissue; kidney; pseudorabies virus; spleen; sympathetic nervous system
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2001.03403.x
Key:
- Free Content
- New Content
- Subscribed Content
- Free Trial Content

Click here for Page Help