Heart's Intricate Neural Network Redefines Understanding of Cardiac Rhythm

New research reveals the heart has its own complex 'mini-brain,' challenging long-held beliefs about how heartbeats are controlled.

Scientists have discovered that the heart contains a sophisticated intracardiac nervous system (IcNS), which plays a critical role in regulating its rhythm independently of the brain.
The study, conducted on zebrafish, identified diverse types of neurons within the heart, including some with pacemaker-like properties that generate rhythmic patterns.
This finding challenges the traditional view that the heart's neural network merely relays signals from the brain, suggesting it actively participates in heart function.
The research utilized advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and electrophysiology to map the organization and function of heart neurons.
These insights could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating heart diseases like arrhythmias by addressing disruptions in the IcNS.