Autonomic nervous system modulation (ANS)

Autonomic nervous system modulation refers to strategies, drugs, or interventions that alter the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is a division of the peripheral nervous system regulating involuntary physiological processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, respiration, and sexual arousal. The ANS consists of the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric divisions, each controlling distinct but overlapping physiological functions through neurotransmitter signaling (mainly acetylcholine and norepinephrine). Modulation of this system is key to treating a variety of conditions, ranging from cardiovascular disorders to neurodegenerative diseases, and is accomplished through a wide array of pharmacologic and device-based approaches. Importantly, ANS modulation is not a molecular target but an umbrella for diverse molecular interventions that act at different nodes across its neural circuits.

Other names

visceral nervous systemvegetative nervous system

Modulation of neurotransmitter signaling at the synapses of the autonomic nervous system (e.g., enhancement or inhibition of cholinergic or adrenergic signaling) Direct receptor agonism or antagonism (muscarinic, nicotinic, alpha, beta receptors) Enzyme inhibition (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors block breakdown of acetylcholine)