During the past two decades, a great deal of research has been conducted in an effort to delineate the neuroanatomical and functional organization of the autonomic nervous system which controls cardiac function. This groundbreaking volume provides a full description of current knowledge about the neuronal mechanisms regulating the heart. It gives a coherent overview of the function of populations of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems that are involved in maintaining cardiac function. Recently developed concepts about the function of afferent and efferent autonomic neurons regulating the heart, as well as those interposed between, are presented in a comprehensive fashion from the level of central neurons to those innervating the heart. Data provided in this book challenge currently held concepts about how central and peripheral autonomic neurons interact to regulate the heart.

An authoritative and well-organized volume, Neurocardiology highlights current concepts about cardiac afferent mechanisms responsible for cardiovascular reflexes, as well as the role of efferent autonomic neurons in regulating cardiodynamics and coronary artery blood flow and in generating cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, neurohumoral regulation of cardiac myocyte function is brought up to date with particular emphasis on myocyte regulation in disease states. New ideas about intrinsic and extrinsic cardiac intrathoracic neurons, the role of spinal cord and medullary and higher center neurons are presented. The final chapters focus on the role that autonomic neurons play in the maintentance of cardiac function in the conscious state as well as in two major clinical conditions, dysrythimias and heart failure. Thus, this comprehensive work offers a succinct overview of the function of central and peripheral autonomic neurons regulating the heart in normal and disease states.

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J. Andrew Armour, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University. Jeffrey L. Ardell, Assistant Professor of Physiology, University of South Alabama.

"This is an ambitious and impressive book which is a worthwhile addition to the libraries of workers in the field. I highly recommend it."--Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences

"This important book...[provides] enlightening information on the ultimate regulator functions of the forebrain structures that are responsible for all cardiovascular behavior."--Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science

"This book is a must for people interested in the field, and an excellent reference for clinical cardiologists. I strongly recommend this book to you." -- Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

"Will be of interest to specialist physicians wishing to be current in this important area....An excellent monograph filling an important gap in the literature. The objectives of the authors are well met and the book will be of use across research and applied areas of interest. The book is readable and well illustrated." --R. John Solaro, PhD, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, Doody's Annual

"This is an excellent reference book for questions related to the reflex control of cardiovascular function, both because of the detailed text and because of the hundreds of pertinent references listed. Specialists in this field would want it on their personal bookshelf..."--Clinical Cardiology

"...this is an ambitious and impressive book which is a worthwhile addition to the libraries of workers in the field. I highly recommend it." Robert Sheldon - Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences

"This book is a must for people interested in the field, and an excellent reference for clinical cardiologists. I strongly recommend this book to you." Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada