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Cited by 837Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic ControlNeuroscience of respiration and sleepVagus Nerve Stimulation Research

The central autonomic nervous system: conscious visceral perception and autonomic pattern generation

Saper, Clifford B.·2002·Annual Review of Neuroscience
DOI 10.1146/annurev.neuro.25.032502.111311
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Abstract

The overall organization of the peripheral autonomic nervous system has been known for many decades, but the mechanisms by which it is controlled by the central nervous system are just now coming to light. In particular, two major issues have seen considerable progress in the past decade. First, the pathways that provide visceral sensation to conscious perception at a cortical level have been elucidated in both animals and humans. The nociceptive system runs in parallel to the pathways carrying visceral sensation from the cranial nerves and may be considered in itself a component of visceral sensation. Second, structures in the central nervous system that generate patterns of autonomic response have been identified. These pattern generators are located at multiple levels of the central nervous system, and they can be combined in temporal and spatial patterns to subserve a wide range of behavioral needs.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.neuro.25.032502.111311

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  • Current research demonstrates that even the autonomic nervous system response to simple physical stressors (pain, temperature, thirst) is extremely nuanced and individually variable, and cannot be summed up as a unitary stress response.

    “Third, current research demonstrates that even the response of the autonomic nervous system to simple physical stressors (pain, temperature, thirst…) is extremely nuanced and individually variable (Saper, 2002), and cannot be summed up as unitary “stress response.””

    From Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy (2015) · cites this paper as Saper, 2002

  • Eighty percent of vagal nerve fibers are afferent in nature, carrying information from the viscera to the brain.

    “Eighty percent of vagal nerve fibers are afferent in nature, which carry information from the viscera to the brain (Goehler et al., 2000; Saper, 2002) and provide a mechanism by which health behaviors can impact on psychological experience.”

    From The Complex Construct of Wellbeing and the Role of Vagal Function (2022) · cites this paper as Saper, 2002

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Authors
Saper, C. B.
Affiliations
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Saper, Clifford B.
ORCID
Saper, Clifford B.
Venue
Annual Review of Neuroscience
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Published
2002-03
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
433-469
ISSN
  • 0147-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4126
DOI
10.1146/annurev.neuro.25.032502.111311
OpenAlex
W2119084915
Cited by
837
References
155
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 35
FWCI
2.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS 33987, R01NS033987)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
Keywords
central autonomic nervous system, visceral sensation, autonomic regulation, nociceptive system, cranial nerves
MeSH terms
Animals, Autonomic Nervous System, Central Nervous System, Consciousness, Efferent Pathways, Humans, Nerve Net, Perception, Sensation, Visceral Afferents

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