Autonomic nervous system articles from across Nature Portfolio

Previous work has shown that natural cardiac rhythms modulate the perception and reaction to sensory cues through changes in associated neural signals. Here, the authors show that sensitivity to prediction errors during reward learning is related to the phase of the cardiac cycle.

A specific neural reflex of the vagus nerve is identified that induces gasping in response to airway closure.

Exposure to acute and long-term exposure to cold temperatures results in the activation of thermoregulatory mechanisms that are under CNS control. In this Review, Mota and Madden discuss long-term physiological adaptations to cold exposure, with an emphasis on the specific states of hibernation, torpor and obesity.

Autonomic nervous system dysregulation contributes to the chronic, debilitating disorders referred to as ‘long COVID’ or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Here, Goldstein describes a multisystem, multidisciplinary approach to understanding PASC-induced alterations in feedback-regulated, plastic networks that determine homeostasis and allostasis.

Enteric nervous system function is essential for survival. Studies published in 2023 have provided important novel insights into the mechanisms that regulate its development and maintenance, and demonstrate how it can be restored when these mechanisms fail.

Cardiac disease drives the denervation of the pineal gland, resulting in a loss of neural control of melatonin release and disrupted sleep–wake patterns.