Electrophysiological characterization of mouse intracardiac calbindin neurons

Abstract

Neural control of the heart involves central and peripheral neurons that act interdependently to modulate cardiac parameters such as heart rate, conduction velocity or contractility. Within this cardiac neuronal regulation, the intrinsic cardiac nervous system, which correspond to clusters of neurons found on the dorsal atrial surface of the heart, is receiving growing attention. Indeed, whereas they were initially considered as simple parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, studies conducted over the past 30 years suggested a more complex organization, involving the existence of sensory, local regulatory and motor neurons within intracardiac ganglia.