Autonomic Nervous System: Central Cardiovascular Control

Rapid adjustments in the circulatory system rely on neurons within the brain stem, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system that constitute the autonomic reflex pathways required to cope with acute changes in physical and metabolic demands. Perhaps the most important among these neural reflexes is the parasympathetic arterial baroreceptor reflex that normally dominates heart rate control on a beat-to-beat basis. At its simplest core, the baroreflex includes only two central neurons, and yet the integrity of this compact reflex loop is one of the best clinical indicators of the risk of sudden cardiac death.