Abstract
The heart is well supplied with sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Efferent part of each component comprises the two neurons - preganglionic and postganglionic.
Synaptic transmission within the ganglia and between nerve endings and target tissues is chemical. Classical neurotransmitter of sympathetic nerve terminals is norepinephrine and that of parasympathetic nerve endings is acetylcholine.
Additionally, other substances coexist within single nerve terminals and upon release may act as neuromodulators. These substances include adenosine triphosphate, serotonin, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and peptides of the PACAP group.
This review article summarizes recent knowledge about the role of nonadrenergic noncholinergic innervation in the heart.