Sympathetic nervous system overactivity and its role in the development of cardiovascular disease

Physiol Rev. 2010 Apr;90(2):513-57. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2009.

Abstract

This review examines how the sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in the regulation of cardiovascular function over multiple time scales. This is achieved through differential regulation of sympathetic outflow to a variety of organs. This differential control is a product of the topographical organization of the central nervous system and a myriad of afferent inputs. Together this organization produces sympathetic responses tailored to match stimuli. The long-term control of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) is an area of considerable interest and involves a variety of mediators acting in a quite distinct fashion. These mediators include arterial baroreflexes, angiotensin II, blood volume and osmolarity, and a host of humoral factors. A key feature of many cardiovascular diseases is increased SNA. However, rather than there being a generalized increase in SNA, it is organ specific, in particular to the heart and kidneys. These increases in regional SNA are associated with increased mortality. Understanding the regulation of organ-specific SNA is likely to offer new targets for drug therapy. There is a need for the research community to develop better animal models and technologies that reflect the disease progression seen in humans. A particular focus is required on models in which SNA is chronically elevated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / physiopathology*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents