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  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

When water goes down the wrong way, these neurons come to the rescue

A squad of sensory cells in the throat prompts a reflex to keep the airways clear.
Micrograph of a section of human tissue, stained pink and purple.

A magnified sample of tissue from the section of the windpipe called the larynx. This organ is dotted with nerve cells that protect against intrusion. Credit: Alvin Telser/SPL

Sensory receptors in the gut and heart supply the brain with information, helping to control important functions such as food intake and heart rate. Now, researchers have pinpointed a group of sensory neurons in the throat that trigger protective responses when water or acid flows down the wrong pipe.

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Nature 580, 307 (2020)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-01046-9

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