Central Nervous Control of Autonomic Function

Each volume in "The Autonomic Nervous System" book series addresses a different area of autonomic control in health and disease. Major advances have been made since the early 1960s that make it necessary to revise our thinking about the mechanisms of autonomic transmission, and have significant implications for our understanding of diseases involving the autonomic nervous system and their treatment. This volume surveys the current understanding of central nervous control of autonomic function. Each chapter provides an overview of the nervous control of autonomic outflow to a particular organ or system, whilst maintaining an integrated approach to describe the simultaneous control of several outflows in response to different physiological situations. An up-to-date account of experimental investigations, this book describes neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and neuroanatomical approaches to the problems involved. In addition to animal work, reference to any relevant studies in humans is also provided. A useful background text for those teaching in the field, this volume should also serve as an important reference work for anyone active in research within the autonomic nervous system.