Autonomic nervous system pathway (ANS pathway)

The autonomic nervous system pathway, more accurately referred to as the autonomic nervous system (ANS), is not a single molecular target but rather a complex network that regulates involuntary physiological processes including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. The ANS consists of two main divisions—the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems—which function through distinct sets of neurons originating from different regions in the central nervous system. These divisions use various neurotransmitters (primarily acetylcholine and norepinephrine) acting on multiple receptor types (cholinergic and adrenergic) to exert their effects on target organs. The structure involves sequential two-neuron pathways connecting CNS centers to peripheral effectors via ganglia. While many drugs modulate activity within this network by targeting its constituent receptors or enzymes—for example beta-blockers at β-adrenoceptors—the term “autonomic nervous system pathway” does not refer to any single druggable entity but rather an anatomical/physiological concept encompassing numerous potential therapeutic targets[1][3][5][6].

Other names

Autonomic nervous systemVisceral nervous systemANS pathway