About this Research Topic
We are now entering the third decade of the 21st Century, and, especially in the last years, the achievements of scientists have been exceptional, leading to major advances in the fast-growing field of neuroscience. Frontiers has organized a series of Research Topics to highlight the latest advances in science in order to be at the forefront of different fields of research. This editorial initiative of particular relevance, led by Prof Joel C Bornstein and Prof Vaughan G Macefield, Specialty Chief Editors of the Autonomic Neuroscience section, is focused on new insights, novel developments, current challenges, latest discoveries, recent advances and future perspectives in the field of autonomic neuroscience. This is a broad field, given that the autonomic nervous system controls the functions of all our organ systems, conveying important sensory information and controlling key effectors in the homeostatic control of diverse functions essential for life: blood pressure, respiration, body temperature, gastrointestinal function and reproduction. Disturbances in autonomic control feature in many disease states. In addition, we now know that elements of the autonomic nervous system interact with the immune system, and that the immune system can influence the brain and hence the autonomic nervous system. The Research Topic solicits brief, forward-looking contributions from the editorial board members that describe the state of the art, outlining recent developments and major accomplishments that have been achieved and that need to occur to move the field forward. Authors are encouraged to identify the greatest challenges in the sub-disciplines, and how to address those challenges.
The goal of this special edition Research Topic is to shed light on the progress made in the past decade in the field of autonomic neuroscience, including discoveries made by novel techniques and approaches to understanding the contributions of the autonomic nervous system to both normal physiology and pathophysiology. This article collection will inspire, inform, and provide direction and guidance to researchers in the field.
We are keen to receive state-of-the-art reviews and commentaries, as well as methods papers on exciting developments in the last 10 years, such as the use of optogenetics, genetic knock-outs, transcriptomics and new experimental approaches to interrogate the operation of the autonomic nervous system. The scope of this Research Topic is as broad as the organ systems and functions in which the autonomic nervous system operates.
The goal of this special edition Research Topic is to shed light on the progress made in the past decade in the field of autonomic neuroscience, including discoveries made by novel techniques and approaches to understanding the contributions of the autonomic nervous system to both normal physiology and pathophysiology. This article collection will inspire, inform, and provide direction and guidance to researchers in the field.
We are keen to receive state-of-the-art reviews and commentaries, as well as methods papers on exciting developments in the last 10 years, such as the use of optogenetics, genetic knock-outs, transcriptomics and new experimental approaches to interrogate the operation of the autonomic nervous system. The scope of this Research Topic is as broad as the organ systems and functions in which the autonomic nervous system operates.
Keywords: autonomic nervous system central nervous system sympathetic parasympathetic enteric cardiovascular respiratory gastrointestinal urogenital thermoregulation immune system
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
