Autonomic Ganglia

Autonomic ganglia are the sites of synaptic transmission in the peripheral nervous system. They are widely believed to function only as relay stations in the efferent pathways which control the vasculature and viscera. Autonomic Ganglia, the sixth volume of the Autonomic Nervous System book series, aims to challenge this view by reviewing aspects of our current understanding of the structure and integrative functions of ganglionic neurones and their connections. Recent research has concentrated on the membrane biophysics of synaptic transmission, the specification of functional pathways, connectivity with other central and peripheral neurones, the distribution and role of neuropeptides and the long and short-term modulation of autonomic signalling.