Nerve Centers Affecting the Function of the Cardiovascular System

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The activity of the cardiovascular system is carried out by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). ANS itself is controlled by multiple nerve centers. At present, there is little and scattered information about them in Persian language. The aim of this review article is to collect information about nerve centers that control ANS and their relationship with cardiovascular activity in Persian. METHODS: In this review article, by searching the international and national databases of web of science, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, ISC and Magiran until 2020 and using the keywords cardiovascular system, baroreflex, the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM), the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON), amygdala, raphe nucleus, the periaqueductal gray (PAG), cuneiform nucleus (CnF), the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT), data about Autonomic Nervous System were collected. FINDINGS: Evaluations have shown that the most important brain centers for regulating blood pressure are the rostral ventrolateral medulla, the nucleus tractus solitarius, the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, the periaqueductal gray, and raphe nucleus, which control cardiovascular activity mainly by affecting the sympathetic system. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the maintenance of basal blood pressure, heart rate regulation and reflex control of blood pressure and heart rate are mainly done by autonomic and especially sympathetic nerve centers.

Keywords

• cardiovascular system
• brain nuclei
• autonomic nervous system
• baroreflex
• blood pressure.